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An international coalition of ground, air and naval forces gathered in the Arabian Sea and in neighboring countries to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the Expeditionary Commander, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly (right), and the Deputy Commander, French Air Force Col. Saster Kochanowski (left), greet the head of French operations, General of Division Jean-Patrick Gaviard (center), while Kyrgyzstani officers look on.

Al-Qaida’s Terrorist Campaign Against Americans

For decades, American citizens, many of them innocent civilians, have been the targets of terrorists claiming to act in the name of Islam. These terrorists have abducted, hijacked, executed, beheaded, bombed, crushed and burned American citizens. In fact, the 11 September attack on the World Trade Center was the second attack there in seven years.

Despite its power, the United States has displayed great patience and restraint while trying to bring previous accused killers to justice. American diplomats and law enforcement professionals sought cooperation from many countries to help track those terrorists and deprive them of their bases and their support. The inadequacy of restrained efforts to keep pace with the growing severity of the threat became tragically clear on 11 September. On that date, America adopted a new policy — to use every tool available to rid the world of the criminal menace that plagues not only U.S. citizens but those of other countries as well. The primary source of that menace and its leader’s identity is now clear.