Final answer:
The War on Terror was initiated by the U.S. in response to the 9/11 attacks, aiming to eliminate Al-Qaeda and associated threats. The Bush Doctrine favored preemptive military action, leading to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Increased domestic security measures were also implemented to prevent future terrorist attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The War on Terror
The War on Terror was a response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, primarily aimed at eliminating the threat of Al-Qaeda and associated militant organizations. Initiated by the United States under President George W. Bush, the campaign started with military action against Afghanistan for harboring Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. The United States' foreign policy adopted the Bush Doctrine, which supported preemptive wars to oust hostile governments and establish democratic regimes, in efforts to protect U.S. national security. This doctrine led to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, under the belief that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed a significant risk to U.S. security.
In the wake of the attacks, the United States also developed domestic strategies to combat terrorism, such as the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security and the passage of the Homeland Security Act and the USA Patriot Act. These measures increased surveillance and authority to identify and respond to potential threats. Despite initial military successes, the anticipated quick resolution in Iraq proved elusive.
The military focus shifted to Iraq based on the administration's conviction that Saddam Hussein was involved in the 9/11 plot and had dangerous weapons. This shift led to the diversion of resources from Afghanistan, which impacted the U.S. military's ability to eliminate Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.