On 20 September 2001 , in the wake of the September 11 attacks , George W. Bush delivered an ultimatum to the Taliban government of Afghanistan , the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan , to turn over Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda leaders operating in the country or face attack . The Taliban demanded evidence of bin Laden 's link to the 11 September attacks and , if such evidence warranted a trial , they offered to handle such a trial in an Islamic Court . The U.S. refused to provide any evidence
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
War on Terror