464 • Chronology
to capture Osama bin Laden, who evades capture and issues
defiant videotaped messages
2002 Pursuing his "War on Terrorism," President George W. Bush
identifies Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as the "axis of evil"; as
al-Aqsa Intifada continues, Sharon sends Israeli tanks into West
Bank cities, killing more than 1,500 Palestinians; Saudi Arabia
proposes full recognition of Israel and normalization on all
levels in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from all lands captured
in 1967 war, but Israel spurns the proposal; Palestinian suicide
bombers attack Israelis in several locations; Israel begins
construction of its "security fence" (separation wall), cutting off
much of the West Bank, to end terrorist attacks; al-Qa'ida
attacks a synagogue in Tunisia and a hotel in Kenya; UN
inspectors renew search for weapons of mass destruction
(WMDs) in Iraq
2003 UN inspectors find no WMDs, despite Iraq's cooperation;
Secretary of State Colin Powell claims large-scale Iraqi
deception; Yasir Arafat agrees to appoint Palestinian prime
minister, naming Mahmud Abbas, who is soon replaced by
Ahmad Quray; US and UK launch massive aerial attacks and
invasion of Iraq to overthrow Saddam Husayn but fail to
find WMDs; after conferring with European Union, Russia,
and UN, Bush announces a "road map" for resumption of
Israeli-Palestinian negotiations; US-led coalition establishes
temporary Iraqi governing council in Baghdad; Iraqis resist US
and UK invaders; terrorist attacks against foreigners in Riyadh
and synagogues in Istanbul; Libya's government admits
responsibility for 1988 Lockerbie bombing and agrees to end
its nuclear weapons program if US will lift sanctions; terrorists
bomb commuter train in Madrid, killing 200, after which newly
elected Spanish government announces it will withdraw its
troops from Iraq; US troops in Iraq capture Saddam Husayn
in underground hideout near Tikrit
2004 Turkey offers Israel fresh water in exchange for weapons; Sharon
announces plan to withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza Strip;
Israel assassinates Hamas leader in March and his successor in
April; US transfers "sovereignty" to Iraq's interim government;
Israeli wall condemned by World Court, and UN General
Assembly passes resolution demanding its removal; FBI
investigates Israeli spy in Pentagon and possible AIPAC
connection; Israel announces construction of new houses in
West Bank settlements, violating US "road map"; Arafat dies