The course examines the historical roots and the conduct of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). GWOT was a world war fought across multiple theaters of operations and including the largest sustained deployment of American military force since the Vietnam War. The events associated with GWOT have changed the lives of every American and much of the world as it effected how we view other religions, how we travel, and how we are monitored. It brought the American military into close combat across the Muslim world and was a catalyst in changing American politics.
Below you will see the part, the topics covered in that part (or planned to be covered), the slides, and prior presentations I have given and available on YouTube that are related to the topics.
At the bottom are links to books and films that I recommend throughout the course.
Below you will see the part, the topics covered in that part (or planned to be covered), the slides, and prior presentations I have given and available on YouTube that are related to the topics.
At the bottom are links to books and films that I recommend throughout the course.
Part 1: Lead up to 9/11 (originally held on 19 September 2024)
Topics include the following:
- What was 9/11?
- Why did 9/11 happen?
- Why did 9/11 come from Afghanistan?
- Why did the U.S think Iraq was involved in 9/11?
| 240919_umkc_spark_-_understanding_gwot_1.pdf |
Part 2: Invasion of Afghanistan (originally held on 26 September 2024)
Topics include the following:
- 1990s Revolution in Military Affairs
- Attack and defeat of the Taliban
- Bonn Agreement
- Tora Bora
- Operation Anaconda
- Afghanistan Constitution
- Pat Tillman
| 240926_umkc_spark_-_understanding_gwot_2.pdf |
Part 3: Invasion of Iraq (originally held on 3 October 2024)
Topics include the following:
- March to Baghdad
- From ORHA to Coalition Provisional Authority
- Capture and Trial of Saddam Hussein
- Abu Ghraib Scandal
- Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
- Battle of Fallujah
| 241003_umkc_spark_-_understanding_gwot_3.pdf |
Part 4: The Surges (originally held on 17 October 2024)
Topics include the following:
- Logic of the Surge
- Surge in Iraq
- Controversy and Success
- Surge in Afghanistan
- Controversy and Controversy
- Women at War
Part 5: Withdrawal from Iraq - Arrival of ISIS (originally held on 24 October 2024)
Topics include the following:
- U.S. Policy in the Middle East
- Operation Desert Storm
- al-Qaeda’s Declaration of War
- al-Qaeda’s War against America
- 9/11
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
Part 6: Withdrawal from Afghanistan (originally held on 31 October 2024)
Topics include the following:
- 2006 Lebanon War
- Mowing the Grass
- Arab Spring
- The Abraham Accords
- ISIS and the Islamic Revolution
- The Axis of Resistance
- The Management of Savagery
- Books to Read
Recommendations
Books
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Movies
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