Although no one had claimed responsibility for the attacks, the prime suspect, singled out by the president was Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden, a Saudi multi millionaire exile whose Al Qaeda organization has been implicated in many other terrorist acts including the bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the bombing of the USS Cole, was known to be living in Afghanistan harbored by the Taliban regime. The Taliban, an extremist Sunni Muslim group, gives safe haven to Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network and also allows them to run military training camps in Afghanistan.
While evidence directly linking Bin Laden and Al Qaeda to the attacks was lacking, Mr. Bush said the administration would present a case to the world against the believed culprits. "We will go after that group, that network, and those who have harbored, supported and aided that network, to rip the network up." "Those who make war on the United States have chosen their own destruction," said the president. (Sciolino).
Gearing up for what he called a "war on terrorism," Mr. Bush warned that a series of military actions rather than a single battle would be necessary in this new war. A broad and sustained campaign was being planned to secure the nation and fight against terrorist organizations and those who harbor and support them. Calling the campaign against terror the focus of his presidency, the president vowed the United States would lead the world to victory. (Bumiller) The president also signed an order to activate 50,000 members of the National Guard and Reserve. Intended for "homeland defense," part of the 50,000 will serve as continental air defense, maintaining patrol over American cities and others would strengthen security at crucial military and civilian installations. .
Moving swiftly after the attacks, Mr. Bush began to drum up support for his war on terrorism. The members of the North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) agreed they would invoke a mutual defense clause for the first time ever if it were determined that the Sept.