War on Terror: The United States' History in the Middle East

The United States' relationship with the Middle East has been shaped by centuries of religious, political, and military conflicts between Western and Islamic powers. Key events included the Crusades, the decline of the Ottoman Empire after WWI and the establishment of nation states, and the Arab-Israeli conflict over religious claims to Jerusalem and Israel. In the late 20th century, the U.S. supported anti-Soviet mujahideen in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war, angering Osama bin Laden. The 9/11 terrorist attacks prompted the U.S. to launch the War on Terror, beginning with the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. However, the legacy and outcomes of U