Pierwsza wojna w XXI wieku

The article deals with the development of events that occurred after September 11th attack on America. It contains a short historical outline of armed conflicts that the United States has participated since gaining its independence. The article presents basic facts relating to terrorist attacks, their immediate results and their consequences. It characterises the attack organisers and both American and world public opinion reactions. Due to the fact that a war has been declared, the author describes the forces' arrangement of parties engaged in the war. the potential that the Americans and their allies have deployed in the conflict zone (Afghanistan) and the determination and possibilities of the other side- the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The United States as the attacked party has received certain support of both the allies (NATO) and the other European countries (the EU). Islamic countries (e.g. Pakistan and Turkey) also joined the antiterrorist coalition. The first stage of the operation with the participation of the US and British Air Force and Navy did not bring definite Solutions, therefore the campaign is estimated to have a long lasting character. Probable consequences of the war against terrorism and related tendencies in world politics have been presented in the final part of the article.