The United States declared a war on terrorism shortly following the attacks of September 11. Unlike previous wars, this was a war that took place in Afghanistan, but it was not against Afghanistan. The U.S. was only at war with a small group of people within the country of Afghanistan called "Al Qaeda." Al Qaeda was Osama bin Laden's terrorist organization. They had many training camps in Afghanistan and also in nearby Pakistan. Below you see an NBC news broadcast from the beginning of this "War on Terror."

Following September 11, Osama bin Laden became the number one enemy of the United States and the U.S. Special forces went into Afghanistan to try to find him and bring him to justice, along with key members of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization. Bin Laden escaped and was not found until May of 2011, nearly ten years later.

In May of 2011, nearly ten years after September 11th. Osama bin Laden was finally tracked down. Bin Laden had been public enemy number one ever since he masterminded the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Obama's speech explains very clearly the reason that the U.S. was hunting down Osama bin Laden.