What military actions did the U.S. engage in following the 9/11 attacks?

Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. engaged in military actions primarily in Afghanistan targeting terrorist groups, particularly al-Qaeda, which was responsible for the attacks. The initial response included Operation Enduring Freedom, launched in October 2001, aimed at dismantling the Taliban regime that was harboring al-Qaeda leaders. This military intervention was justified under the Bush administration's doctrine of preemptive strike against terrorism and was supported by a broad international coalition.

This focus on Afghanistan marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, which prioritized the fight against terrorism and aimed to prevent future attacks. The subsequent military actions in Iraq, although significant, occurred later and were based on different justifications related to weapons of mass destruction and the belief that Iraq posed a threat to the U.S. and its allies. Thus, while both military actions are part of the post-9/11 context, the immediate and primary focus right after 9/11 was indeed on Afghanistan.