Bush Defines the War on Terror (2001)

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and every government that supports them. [applause] Our war on terror begins with al-Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated. [applause] Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what they see right here in this chamber, a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms, our freedom of religion,

our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote, and assemble, and disagree with each other. They want overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa. These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us because we stand in their way. We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century

by sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions. By abandoning every value except the will to power, they follow in the path of fascism, Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way to where it ends in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies. [applause] Americans are asking, how will we fight and win this war? We will direct every resource at our command, every means of diplomacy,

every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network. Now this war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat. Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to

place until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation and every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. [applause] From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.

Bush Defines the War on Terror (2001)

On September 20, 2001, George W. Bush convened a joint session of Congress to deliver a speech to the nation. In his address (as originally broadcast live on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer), he lays out key features that would continue to define the War on Terror during his time in office. The war would not just focus on those responsible for the 9/11 attacks, but on every “terrorist group of global reach.” And beyond that, we would not only target terrorist organizations, but any government that “harbors or supports” them. The speech also lays out key ideological premises, framing the War on Terror as an effort to protect “freedom” against an enemy associated with “fascism” and “terrorism.” Bush also calls for international support for U.S. efforts by laying out a stark dichotomy: “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.”

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | NewsHour Productions | September 20, 2001 This video clip and associated transcript appear from 20:55 - 25:59 in the full record.

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