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[[Image:Waronterror.jpg|thumb|300px|U.S. Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu]]

[[Image:Waronterror.jpg|thumb|300px|U.S. Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu]]

The War on Terror (or War on Terrorism) is a campaign that was launched by the [[United States of America]] with support from [[NATO]] and other allies with the stated goal of ending international terrorism, which is typically understood to refer particularly to radical Islamist terrorism. The campaign was launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, for which [[Al-Qaeda]] claimed responsibility. The "War on Terror" has taken many forms, such as diplomacy, going after "terrorist financing," domestic provisions aiming to prevent future attacks, and joint training and peacekeeping operations with a wide variety of nations.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/hottopics/War_on_Terrorism.shtml War on Terrorism]. Newsmax.</ref>  

The War on Terror (or War on Terrorism) is a campaign that was launched by the [[United States of America]] with support from [[NATO]] and other allies with the stated goal of ending international terrorism, which is typically understood to refer particularly to radical Islamist terrorism. The campaign was launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, for which [[Al-Qaeda]] claimed responsibility. The "War on Terror" has taken many forms, such as diplomacy, going after "terrorist financing," domestic provisions aiming to prevent future attacks, and joint training and peacekeeping operations with a wide variety of nations.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/hottopics/War_on_Terrorism.shtml War on Terrorism]. Newsmax.</ref>  

:"When referencing military operations throughout the world, please be as specific as possible. Please avoid using colloquialisms such as, "'''the war on terrorism'''", or the "Long War" Please do not use the term "global war on terrorism" <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/HASC_Memo.pdf Style Guide for Defense Authorization Report]. House Committee on Armed Services. U.S. House of Representatives. 110th Congress. 27 March 2007.</ref>

:"When referencing military operations throughout the world, please be as specific as possible. Please avoid using colloquialisms such as, "'''the war on terrorism'''", or the "Long War" Please do not use the term "global war on terrorism" <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/HASC_Memo.pdf Style Guide for Defense Authorization Report]. House Committee on Armed Services. U.S. House of Representatives. 110th Congress. 27 March 2007.</ref>

CNN’s Baghdad bureau chief Michael Ware reported in April 2007,

CNN's Baghdad bureau chief Michael Ware reported in April 2007,

:"If  U.S. troops leave now, you’re giving Iraq to [[Iran]]…and [[al-Qaeda]]. If U.S. troops leave now, that’s who will own it. …Coming back I’m struck by the nature of the debate on Capital Hill, how delusional it is." <ref>CNN, [http://newsbusters.org/media/2007-04-26-CNNAMPhillipsWare.rm  Pullout would hand Iraq to Iran and al-Qaeda], 04/26/07. </ref>

:"If  U.S. troops leave now, you’re giving Iraq to [[Iran]] ... and [[al-Qaeda]]. If U.S. troops leave now, that’s who will own it. ... Coming back I'm struck by the nature of the debate on Capital Hill, how delusional it is." <ref>CNN, [http://newsbusters.org/media/2007-04-26-CNNAMPhillipsWare.rm  Pullout would hand Iraq to Iran and al-Qaeda], 04/26/07. </ref>

==Overview==

==Overview==

===Iraq War===

===Iraq War===

The [[Iraq War]], also known as the Second Persian Gulf War, began in March 2003 when the United States and a coalition of forces willing to enforce [[United Nations]] Resolutions removed [[Baathist]] dictator [[Saddam Hussein]]'s from power.  Gen. [[David Petraeus]], commander of the multinational forces has characterized the Iraqi war as a decentralized fight against clan or family-based terror networks supplied by Iran and Syria, against which more and more Iraqis are willing to fight.  Research using robust surveying techniques has estimated that over 650,000 Iraqis have died <ref>[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7113/full/443728a.html Iraqi death toll withstands scrutiny], ''[[Nature]]''</ref> since the fall of the Ba'athist regime.

The [[Iraq War]], also known as the Second Persian Gulf War, began in March 2003 when the United States and a coalition of forces willing to enforce [[United Nations]] Resolutions removed [[Baathist]] dictator [[Saddam Hussein]]'s from power.  Gen. [[David Petraeus]], commander of the multinational forces has characterized the Iraqi war as a decentralized fight against clan or family-based terror networks supplied by Iran and Syria, against which more and more Iraqis are willing to fight.  Research using robust surveying techniques has estimated that over 650,000 Iraqis have died <ref>[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7113/full/443728a.html Iraqi death toll withstands scrutiny], ''[[Nature]]''</ref> since the fall of the Ba'athist regime.

Senior U.S. and allied military officials and policymakers have provided specific information on Iranian aid to Shiite militias.

Senior U.S. and allied military officials and policymakers have provided specific information on Iranian aid to Shiite militias.

* In March 2006, senior U.S. defense officials, including then-Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. John Abizaid asserted that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — particularly its “Qods (Jerusalem) Forces” that conduct activities outside Iran in support of Shiite movements — is assisting armed factions in Iraq with explosives and weapons. The Qods Force is an arm of the Iranian government, but some experts believe it might sometimes undertake actions not fully vetted with senior leaders.

*In March 2006, senior U.S. defense officials, including then-Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. John Abizaid asserted that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — particularly its "Qods (Jerusalem) Forces" that conduct activities outside Iran in support of Shiite movements — is assisting armed factions in Iraq with explosives and weapons. The Qods Force is an arm of the Iranian government, but some experts believe it might sometimes undertake actions not fully vetted with senior leaders.

* On August 23, 2006, Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero, deputy chief of operations of the Joint Staff, said the Iranian government is training, funding, and equipping Shiite militiamen in Iraq. On September 28 2006, Maj. Gen. Richard Zahner, deputy chief of staff for intelligence of the Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I), said that the labels on C-4  explosives found with Shiite militiamen in Iraq prove that the explosives came from Iran. He added that only the Iranian military apparatus controls access to such military-grade explosives. <ref>''Iranian Government Behind Shipping Weapons to Iraq.'' American Forces Press Service, September 28, 2006.</ref>

*On August 23, 2006, Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero, deputy chief of operations of the Joint Staff, said the Iranian government is training, funding, and equipping Shiite militiamen in Iraq. On September 28 2006, Maj. Gen. Richard Zahner, deputy chief of staff for intelligence of the Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I), said that the labels on C-4  explosives found with Shiite militiamen in Iraq prove that the explosives came from Iran. He added that only the Iranian military apparatus controls access to such military-grade explosives.<ref>''Iranian Government Behind Shipping Weapons to Iraq.'' American Forces Press Service, September 28, 2006.</ref>

* On September 19, 2006, Gen. Abizaid said that U.S. forces had found weaponry in Iraq that likely came from Iran, including a dual-warhead rocket-propelled-grenade RPG-29, as well as Chinese-made rockets. He added that Lebanese Hezbollah members were conducting training in Iran and that they could also be training Iraqi Shiite militiamen but that “[these linkages are] very, very hard to pin down with precision.” <ref>''New Weapons From Iran Turning Up on Mideast Battlefields: Abizaid.'' Agence France-Presse, September 19, 2006.</ref>

*On September 19, 2006, Gen. Abizaid said that U.S. forces had found weaponry in Iraq that likely came from Iran, including a dual-warhead rocket-propelled-grenade RPG-29, as well as Chinese-made rockets. He added that Lebanese Hezbollah members were conducting training in Iran and that they could also be training Iraqi Shiite militiamen but that "[these linkages are] very, very hard to pin down with precision". <ref>''New Weapons From Iran Turning Up on Mideast Battlefields: Abizaid.'' Agence France-Presse, September 19, 2006.</ref>

* On January 31, 2007, the commander of Multinational Corps-Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, said that the United States had traced back to Iran serial numbers of weapons captured in Iraq. The armaments included rocket-propelled grenades, roadside bombs, and Katyusha rockets.

*On January 31, 2007, the commander of Multinational Corps-Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, said that the United States had traced back to Iran serial numbers of weapons captured in Iraq. The armaments included rocket-propelled grenades, roadside bombs, and Katyusha rockets.

* In a February 11, 2007, U.S. military briefers in Baghdad provided what they said was specific evidence that Iran had supplied armor-piercing “explosively forced projectiles” (EFPs) to Shiite militias. EFPs have been responsible for 170 U.S. combat deaths from 2003 until April 2007.

*In a February 11, 2007, U.S. military briefers in Baghdad provided what they said was specific evidence that Iran had supplied armor-piercing "explosively forced projectiles" (EFPs) to Shiite militias. EFPs have been responsible for 170 U.S. combat deaths from 2003 until April 2007.

* On April 11, 2007, when U.S. military officials said they had found evidence that Iran might also be supplying Sunni insurgent factions, although without asserting Iranian government approval for the shipments. Some experts believe such shipments would not comport with Iranian government objectives because Sunni insurgents are fighting Iran’s prot&#233;g&#233;s and allies in Iraq.

*On April 11, 2007, when U.S. military officials said they had found evidence that Iran might also be supplying Sunni insurgent factions, although without asserting Iranian government approval for the shipments. Some experts believe such shipments would not comport with Iranian government objectives because Sunni insurgents are fighting Iran’s prot&#233;g&#233;s and allies in Iraq.

* On July 2, 2007, Brig. Gen. Kevin Begner, in a briefing for journalists, said that the Qods Force is using Lebanese Hezbollah to train and channel weapons to Iraqi Shiite militia fighters, and that Iran is giving up to $3 million per month to its prot&#233;g&#233; forces in Iraq. Bergner based his information on the March 2007 capture – in connection with a January 2007 attack on U.S. forces in Karbala – of former Sadr spokesman Qais Khazali and Lebanese Hezbollah operative Ali Musa Daqduq.

*On July 2, 2007, Brig. Gen. Kevin Begner, in a briefing for journalists, said that the Qods Force is using Lebanese Hezbollah to train and channel weapons to Iraqi Shiite militia fighters, and that Iran is giving up to $3 million per month to its prot&#233;g&#233; forces in Iraq. Bergner based his information on the March 2007 capture – in connection with a January 2007 attack on U.S. forces in Karbala – of former Sadr spokesman Qais Khazali and Lebanese Hezbollah operative Ali Musa Daqduq.

* On July 23, 2007, it was reported the US military found missiles manufactured in [[China]] which have been smuggled into Iraq from Iran. <ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=84006 US Army claims Iran is smuggling Chinese weapons into Iraq], ''Daily Star'',  July 23, 2007.</ref>

*On July 23, 2007, it was reported the US military found missiles manufactured in [[China]] which have been smuggled into Iraq from Iran.<ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=84006 US Army claims Iran is smuggling Chinese weapons into Iraq], ''Daily Star'',  July 23, 2007.</ref>

One press report said there are 150 Iranian Qods Forces and intelligence personnel in Iraq. <ref>Linzer, Dafna. ''Troops Authorized To Kill Iranian Operatives in Iraq,'' Washington Post,

One press report said there are 150 Iranian Qods Forces and intelligence personnel in Iraq.<ref>Linzer, Dafna. ''Troops Authorized To Kill Iranian Operatives in Iraq,'' Washington Post,

January 26, 2007.</ref> In December 2006, U.S. forces arrested two Qods Forces senior officers in the compound of SICI leader Hakim, where they were allegedly meeting with Badr Brigade leader (and member of parliament) Hadi al-Amiri; the two were later released under Iraqi government pressure. In January 2007, another five Iranian agents were arrested in a liaison office in the Kurdish city of Irbil, reportedly against the urging of Iraq’s Kurdish leaders. They remain under arrest until at least October 2007 when their case will be reviewed. Iranian diplomats were allowed access to the five on July 7, 2007, and the Iranians reportedly were told that there are two other Iranian government employees held by U.S. forces.

January 26, 2007.</ref> In December 2006, U.S. forces arrested two Qods Forces senior officers in the compound of SICI leader Hakim, where they were allegedly meeting with Badr Brigade leader (and member of parliament) Hadi al-Amiri; the two were later released under Iraqi government pressure. In January 2007, another five Iranian agents were arrested in a liaison office in the Kurdish city of Irbil, reportedly against the urging of Iraq’s Kurdish leaders. They remain under arrest until at least October 2007 when their case will be reviewed. Iranian diplomats were allowed access to the five on July 7, 2007, and the Iranians reportedly were told that there are two other Iranian government employees held by U.S. forces.

===Second Lebanon War===

===Second Lebanon War===

The [[Second Lebanon War]] was fought between [[Israel]] and [[Hezbollah]], primarily in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, in the summer of 2006.

The [[Second Lebanon War]] was fought between [[Israel]] and [[Hezbollah]], primarily in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, in the summer of 2006.

===Waziristan War===

===Waziristan War===

The [[Waziristan War]] (2004-2006) was fought between [[Pakistan]] and [[al-Qaeda]], the [[Taliban]], and sympathetic tribal militias in the [[Waziristan]] province of Pakistan, bordering [[Afghanistan]].

The [[Waziristan War]] (2004-2006) was fought between [[Pakistan]] and [[al-Qaeda]], the [[Taliban]], and sympathetic tribal militias in the [[Waziristan]] province of Pakistan, bordering [[Afghanistan]].