Member-only story

The African Embassy Bombings and America's Search for Justice

Edward Reed

·9.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Al Qaeda Declares War: The African Embassy Bombings And America S Search For Justice

4 min read · 1 week before

1.1k View Claps

68 Respond

Save

Listen

The Bombings

On August 7, 1998, two bombs exploded almost simultaneously at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The attacks killed 224 people and injured over 5,000. Most of the victims were Kenyans and Tanzanians, but 12 Americans were also killed.

Al Qaeda Declares War: The African Embassy Bombings and America’s Search for Justice

by Roberto Mangabeira Unger

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2062 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	332 pages

The bombings were the work of al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying that they were retaliation for U.S. sanctions against Sudan and for the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia.

The Investigation

The United States immediately launched an investigation into the bombings. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) worked together to track down the suspects and gather evidence.

The investigation led to the arrest of several suspects, including four men who were eventually convicted of carrying out the attacks. The suspects were tried in a U.S. federal court in New York City.

The Trial

The trial of the African Embassy bombings suspects began in January 2001. The trial lasted for nine months, and the jury heard from over 100 witnesses.

The prosecution presented evidence that the defendants had planned and carried out the attacks with the help of al-Qaeda. The defense attorneys argued that the defendants were innocent and that they had been framed by the U.S. government.

In May 2001, the jury found all four defendants guilty of all charges. The defendants were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Aftermath

The African Embassy bombings were a watershed moment in the U.S. war on terror. The attacks showed that al-Qaeda was a serious threat to the United States and that the U.S. needed to do more to protect its citizens from terrorism.

As a result of the bombings, the U.S. government increased its funding for counterterrorism programs. The U.S. also worked with other countries to improve intelligence sharing and to track down terrorists.

The African Embassy bombings also had a lasting impact on the victims and their families. Many of the victims were left with physical and emotional scars. The families of the victims have worked tirelessly to keep the memory of their loved ones alive and to fight for justice.

The Book

The African Embassy Bombings and America's Search for Justice tells the story of the terrorist attacks, the investigation, the trial, and the aftermath. The book is a gripping account of a tragic event that changed the course of history.

The book is written by journalist Scott Shane. Shane has covered terrorism for The New York Times for over 20 years. He has written extensively about al-Qaeda and the U.S. war on terror.

The African Embassy Bombings and America's Search for Justice is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history of terrorism and the U.S. response to it. The book is a powerful reminder of the importance of justice and the need to fight for what is right.

Al Qaeda Declares War: The African Embassy Bombings and America’s Search for Justice

by Roberto Mangabeira Unger

5 out of 5