Thesis Statement: American policies in Afghanistan led to the tragic events that took place in the United States on the morning of September 11, 2001. Discussion: In its Cold War struggle against Stalinism, the United States organized a civil war in Afghanistan to drive out the USSR. The United States was a key force in the initial formation, organizing, financing, arming, and training of the Islamic Fundamentalist guerillas, to include the Taliban in Afghanistan. Conclusion: The successful September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and damaged the Pentagon, killing over 3,000 people combined. The attack was one of the most pivotal events in world history, and its impact will be felt for years to come. The US involvement in Afghanistan had a clear impact on the Taliban and Al Queda in Afghanistan. Counterpoint: The terrorist attacks were a measure of the depth of anger in the Middle East and many other parts of the world towards the United States. There is tremendous anger throughout the Arab world over the decade-long US-backed sanctions against Iraq.

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