How 'War on Terror' changed US allegiances

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, former president George W Bush repeatedly declared "you're either with us or against us" in the ensuing "War on Terror".

This led to a major change in US foreign policy. Bush changed how US aid was spent, and focused on using it to recruit allies to his cause.
Countries that had previously seen very little US support were now receiving a massive influx of cash in the aftermath of 9/11.

Leaders the US had previously refused to talk to because of their human rights abuses were now suddenly friends of the country.

One example was Pakistan. Prior to 9/11, it was almost completely blocked from getting US money because of its nuclear programme, as well as the military coup that put Pervez Musharraf into power.

In the three years leading up to 9/11, it received about $9m from Washington, yet in the three years following 9/11, it received over $4bn.

According to Tom Carothers, from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: "There is a central contradiction in the War on Terror.

"You can call it a crusade for freedom or its really about democracy, but the reality was that it pushed the US into closer co-operation with security forces intelligence agencies and governments in a number of autocratic places."

Yet Bush supporters argue that while much of the money went to prop up regimes, the US also spent money on democracy programmes in those countries.

"Most of the regimes in the world are run by bad guys," said Cliff May, president of the Foundation For Defence of Democracies.

"Some of those bad guys are more open to American assistance and American influence than others."

But even with millions of dollars going to keep their people in power, the people on the streets were able to bring some of them down.

Those still there however, are still getting paid for their help.

Al Jazeera's correspondent Patty Culhane reports from Washington.

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[blackwolfone1]

On 9/11 2001 the whole world was on the side of the U.S. until Bush decided to make war with the whole world in the name of freedom and the fight against terrorism, and now the U.S. are the most hated country in the whole world.

[Redfingers]

The Bush doctrine is a declaration of intention on part of the Bush administration to start wars of aggression illegal under international law.

[bloodyhawk989]

@Redfingers shut up dumbass

[blackwolfone1]

@bloodyhawk989 Keep your ignorant to yourself.

[bloodyhawk989]

@blackwolfone1 he didnt make war with the world.Islam chose to make war with the USA and since then how many islamic nations have been broken?and we havent even dropped a single nuke...yet

[eastariel]

A mass murderer doesn't care about anyone's pain but his own. For him, fear of punishment can be an effective deterrent.

America must never say that it will never torture terrorists. It must always leave the cat door open a sliver to catch those really big rats.

America must never become extremist. We must stay flexible enough to show mass murderers that their monstrous actions like boomerangs will hit them back hard.

So I'm opposed to torture in America ... but we must keep the cat door open.

[TheThruster24]

Is it simply a coincidence the country the "war on terror" was being fought in also has poppy seed fields now being guarded by American soldiers supplying 90% of the worlds heroin? Not to mention the vast amounts of oil under foot...

[mshameeliatomboy]

It's incredible, how people know the truth on 9/11 and the conspiracies by their government and yet choose to be blinded and follow misguidance well GUESS WHAT? Hellfire is real and Paradise is for the true believers . Make your choice . EITHER YOU ARE WITH DICTATORS OR YOU ARE WITH THE LIBERATORS. Are you with the disbelievers or the believers. ARE YOU WITH THE SOLDIERS OF DAJJAL(anti-christ) OR SOLDIERS OF ALLAAH (creator). So will you end up in Paradise or in Hellfire. YOU CHOOSE.

[25xhenry]

con nosotros o encontra de nosotros digo de la historia

[eastariel]

GOD BLESS OUR PRESENT

God bless the mighty nation that America is now,

A land of peaceful pioneers who lead us on somehow.

America tries hard to be a neighbor kind and strong,

To help our neighbors all around to somehow get along.

[eastariel]

We stand together, brave and strong, diverse in our beliefs.

We fight as families sometimes do, while looking for relief.

The battle for equality, for global human rights

Draws our nation's spirit into other people's fights.

God bless my dear America, the healing land I love.

And thank you, dear Almighty God, for guiding this white dove.