LibGuides: Modern Conflicts: Origins

September 12, 2001

Cover of The New York Times on September 12, 2001. Click for interactive version.

Islamic vs. Islamist

Islamic is an adjective for Islam or Muslims. Islamic might refer to a community center, art, architecture, or an area of academic study.

Islamism is an ideology which forcefully promotes an often extreme version of Islam in all aspects of life, sometimes through violent means, including toward Muslim people.

More information:

Origins of Terrorism in the Middle East Region

The Changing Faces of Terrorism
Archived articles from the BBC on terrorism and the September 11 attacks.
CIA and the War on Terrorism
News and statements from the CIA on the War on Terror from September 12, 2001 to present.
The Evolution of Islamic [sic] Terrorism: An Overview
A historical overview from PBS Frontline.
Islamist Terrorism From 1945 to the Rise of ISIS
Brief overview of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS.
National Security Frequently Asked Questions
Archived version of the George W. Bush White House web site with information about the War on Terror.

Books In The Library

Causes of the Iraq War by Jim Gallagher
Call Number: 956.7044 GAL
Discusses the causes of the 2003 Iraq war, explaining the origins of Iraq, the reasons for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the 1991 Gulf War and subsequent U.N. efforts to disarm Iraq, and the U.S. desire to remove Saddam Hussein from power
Ghost Wars by Steve Coll
Call Number: 958.104 COL
Tells the secret history of the CIA's role in Afghanistan, including its covert program against Soviet troops from 1979 to 1989, and examines the rise of the Taliban, the emergence of Bin Laden, and the secret efforts by CIA officers and their agents to capture or kill Bin Laden in Afghanistan after 1998.
September 11 2001 by Helga Schier
Call Number: 973.931 SCH
Describes the events of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
September 11 by Alan Wachtel
Call Number: 973.931 WAC
Presents an overview of the events surrounding the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, and features primary source materials that provide insights into the experiences of people who witnessed or were otherwise affected by the tragedy, with photographs of related artifacts and time lines.