5-Minute Videos | PragerU George W. Bush: The War on Terror | Elizabeth Spalding
Sep 8, 2025
Join Elizabeth Spalding, a Senior Fellow at Pepperdine University, as she delves into the tumultuous presidency of George W. Bush. They discuss the immediate aftermath of 9/11, highlighting Bush's resolute response and the declaration of a war on terror. Spalding also examines the complex legacy left behind, including the controversial decisions surrounding the Iraq War and the challenges faced during Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 financial crisis. It's a captivating analysis of leadership under pressure.
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Immediate Post‑9/11 Response
- After 9/11, George W. Bush declared a war on terror and focused entirely on keeping America safe.
- His team targeted Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, overthrowing the Taliban within months while Osama bin Laden escaped capture.
Preemption As Policy Rationale
- Bush argued the U.S. must act preemptively against regimes that harbor terrorists or pursue WMDs.
- He used intelligence claims about Iraq's weapons to justify invasion and remove Saddam Hussein quickly.
Mission Accomplished Then Backlash
- In 2003 Bush stood on an aircraft carrier under a 'mission accomplished' banner after Saddam fell.
- Voters re-elected him in 2004, but Iraq later deteriorated into sectarian violence and rising U.S. casualties.