Here are
background profiles on some of the countries that have been caught up in the
backdrop of the events on and after September 11th:
Afghanistan
- The Taliban government is known to welcome Osama bin laden and other terrorist
organizations.
Algeria
- Has been tied to bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist organization;
India
- Tensions with US coalition ally Pakistan over Kashmir makes them important
to the US War on Terrorism.
Iran
- Neighbor of Afghanistan; at odds with Taliban regime, but not a friend of
the US either.
Iraq
- One of the three countries to recognize the Taliban government; circumstantial
evidence ties Iraqi intelligence to al Qaeda, bin Laden and the attacks of September
11, 2001.
Israel
- Focal point of Mideast tensions; US support of Israel has angered Muslims;
Pakistan
- Neighbor of Afghanistan; strong supporter of the Taliban, but became important
member of the US coalition.
Russia
- As remnant of the Soviet Union, the country has ties going back to the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan; gave weapons and supplies to support the Northern Alliance
against the Taliban.
Saudi
Arabia - Home of Mecca, the religious capital of Islam;
