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Abstract

The aftermath of 9/11 terrorist attacks on United States (U.S.) soil led to the U.S. invasion of both Afghanistan and Iraq as part of its counterterrorism policies. This article explores if these policies succeeded or failed. It further reviews the counterterrorism policies of three U.S. presidents, that is, Bush, Obama, and Trump from 2001 to 2021. The article utilizes the Frustration Aggression Theory to analyze the U.S.’ decision to invade Afghanistan and Iraq as well as to why the country faces a threat of terrorism based on radical Islam. It uses qualitative analysis, historical reviews, case studies, and empirical data assessment to investigate the subject matter. The article concludes by calling the U.S. not to completely leave the Middle East, despite having previously removed its military infrastructure from Afghanistan and Iraq. The article warns that to abandon the two countries completely would provide terrorists a secure location to plan their assaults, putting the U.S. and its Western allies at jeopardy and compromising 20 years of counterterrorism efforts.

Keywords

America counterterrorism Afghanistan Iraq September 11 attacks

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A Review of American Counterterrorism Policies in Afghanistan and Iraq (2001–2021): Success or Failure?

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