The attackers carried out their attack for the following main reasons: For the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan (December 7, 1941):
- Japan aimed to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet to prevent America from interfering with Japan’s expansion into Southeast Asia and resource-rich territories.
- Japan faced severe natural resource shortages, especially oil, after the U.S. imposed sanctions and embargoes due to Japan’s aggression in China and Indochina.
- The attack was intended as a preemptive strike to weaken U.S. naval power, buying time for Japan to consolidate its empire and resources without American intervention.
- Japan hoped this blow would demoralize the U.S. and force it to negotiate peace on terms favorable to Japan, although this gamble ultimately failed.
For the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, by al-Qaeda:
- The attackers, led by Osama bin Laden, believed the United States was weak and vulnerable based on U.S. military withdrawals from Lebanon, Somalia, and Vietnam.
- Their motivations included opposition to U.S. foreign policies in the Middle East, support for Israel, and U.S. backing of regimes they opposed.
- They sought to inflict massive psychological and physical damage to destabilize the U.S., provoke a military response, and inspire Islamist extremism.
- The attacks were part of a broader ideological commitment to jihad and a reaction to perceived Western aggression against Muslims.
In summary, the attackers carried out their respective attacks driven by strategic, resource, ideological, and political motives aimed at weakening their adversaries and advancing their own agendas.
