Nixon resigns during Watergate

Vietnam falls to Communists

2 separate oil shortages

Widespread inflation

Takes advantage of perceived U.S. weakness

Failed attempt to conquer last 10 years

U.S. funds rebels that are later connected to the Al Queda, origionally the freedom fighters

Iran and Iraq fought for most of the 1980s for dominance in the Middle East and over the border disputes

U.S. aided Saddam Hussein's Iraq given its recent negative history with Iran

Cold War competition between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. ends

Iraq invades neighbor Kuwait to seize it's oil and gain access to port.

U.S. leads U.N. force that liberates Kuwait but keeps Hussein in power

U.S. hit by several terrorist attacks in 1990s, including several attacks orchestrated by Bin Laden and Al Qaeda

World Trade Center bombing; attacks on ships on Kenya; domestic terrorism including OK City Building.

Al Qaeda terrorist attacks WTC towers and pentagons after hijacking 4 planes

U.S. invades Afghanistan holding Taliban government responsible for 9/11 attacks

Government easily toppled; rebuilding proved difficult through 2021 withdrawal

U.S. began second war in Iraq in 2003 after alleging Iraq was harboring WMDs

Easily toppled government; rebuilding proved disastrous

Insurgency resulted in over 4500 U.S. casualties through 2011 withdrawal

Widespread instability continues to plaque many parts of the MIddle East including Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria leading to the rise of ISIS and return of the Taliban

War in Israel has further destabilized region