Which three events contributed to the rise of terrorism at the start of the 21st century? - The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan - The U.S. invasion of Iraq - The Taliban's rise to power

Answer: The rise of terrorism at the beginning of the 21st century can be attributed to a number of events, but three significant ones stand out:

1. The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the communist government against a growing insurgency. This led to a long and brutal conflict that lasted throughout the 1980s. The United States, along with other countries, supported the Afghan Mujahideen fighters against the Soviets. This period of conflict fostered an environment in which extremist ideologies and militant organizations, including what would become Al-Qaeda, could grow and gain experience.

2. The Taliban's Rise to Power: Following the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989 and the subsequent Afghan civil wars, the Taliban emerged as a powerful faction and took control of most of Afghanistan by 1996. The Taliban's government provided a safe haven and operating base for terrorist groups, most notably Al-Qaeda. The Taliban's oppressive regime and its connections with terrorist organizations played a role in the increasing global terrorism threats.

3. The US Invasion of Iraq: After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States initiated the War on Terror. In 2003, the US invaded Iraq under the premise of eliminating weapons of mass destruction and removing Saddam Hussein from power. The invasion and the subsequent occupation destabilized the region, significantly disrupting social and political order. This led to the rise of insurgent groups and created an environment in which terrorist organizations, including what would eventually become ISIS, could recruit, train, and plan operations.