The president of the United States is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is responsible for the nation’s security and has the power to put together and direct military actions in times of peace and war. The president is also the chief diplomat of the nation and has the power to negotiate treaties with the consent of the senate, and executive agreements with foreign nations without congressional approval.

Only eight months into his presidency, George W Bush was placed in a position that neither he nor the American people would have imagined when he took office. The terrorist attacks of September 11th, which caused the loss of thousands of lives and many billions of dollars in damage have forced Bush into action as commander-in-chief of the United States military. Lacking experience in foreign policy and military matters, the new president is being put to the test while the nation and the world watches.

When it became apparent that 4 airliners had been hijacked in a terrorist plot, the president ordered all air traffic halted, the military was put on the highest state of alert, and jet fighters patrolled the skies with authorization to intercept and shoot down any comme

Moving swiftly after the attacks, Mr. Bush began to drum up support for his war on terrorism. The members of the North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) agreed they would invoke a mutual defense clause for the first time ever if it were determined that the Sept. 11th attacks were directed from abroad. Article 5 of the alliance, says an armed attack against any of the allies in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. This unprecedented move clearly showed that the NATO alliance was now prepared to see some acts of terrorism as acts of war. (Daley)

While evidence directly linking Bin Laden and Al Qaeda to the attacks was lacking, Mr. Bush said the administration would present a case to the world against the believed culprits. "We will go after that group, that network, and those who have harbored, supported and aided that network, to rip the network up." "Those who make war on the United States have chosen their own destruction," said the president. (Sciolino)

The American people have overwhelmingly supported the president in his efforts to bring those responsible to justice. Congress has acted in a rare bipartisan manner in cooperating with Mr. Bush and giving him their approval for funding and the use of force. The nation and government (at least temporarily) seems to be united under a president who did not win the popular vote. It is interesting to note that Mr. Bush has one of the highest approval ratings in history.

President Bush approved a program of covert support for groups in Afghanistan such as the Northern Alliance and the southern tribes that oppose the Taliban government. The Northern Alliance controls a small northern portion (10%) of Afghanistan and once ruled the entire country before a civil war, after which the Taliban came to power. Such support will help to broaden and strengthen opposition to the Taliban and is a key element in the administrations plan to oust the Taliban. In addition to this, the US has resumed humanitarian aid food shipments to Afghanistan to help the millions of starving Afghans, and also to help show that the US efforts are not directed against the Afghan people.

Some topics in this essay:
Al Qaeda, North America, Northern Alliance, George Bush, Bin Laden, Famine Afghanistan, Sciolino Gearing, War Terrorism, Afghanistan American, Reserve Intended, bin laden, northern alliance, al qaeda, al qaeda network, qaeda network, terrorist attacks, president bush, alliance forces, war terrorism, osama bin, american people, northern alliance forces, laden al qaeda, aid food shipments, osama bin laden,