Putting 9/11 and the War on Terror into perspective

Worldwide response to the US War on Terror

Most countries backed the US War on Terror initially. This was because the US invoked Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which states that when a member is attacked the others should defend that country. For example, the invasion of Afghanistan was supported by troops from countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Norway.

However, support for the US and the War on Terror started to decrease in 2002, when the American government stated its intention to invade Iraq.

The Australian government was initially quick to denounce the 9/11 attacks. The Australian government backed the War on Terror with military support and intelligence analysis but also with domestic laws regarding terrorism.

Canada initially backed the war in Afghanistan with troops and ships. However, by 2006, Canadian public support for the war decreased. A 2007 scandal about Canadian soldiers using torture put pressure on the government to withdraw its troops. Even so, Canadian troops did not withdraw from Afghanistan until 2011.

The strongest supporter of the War on...