Dec. 1:
  Canadian PM Jean Chrétien, and over 8,000 Canadians, arrived in New York Cityto show their affection and support for New York. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani proclaimed the dayCanada Loves New York Day. Palestinian suicide bombers kill at least 10 Israelis and injureover 170, in a series of blasts in Jerusalem. Israeli PM Sharon says he plans to return homefrom New York a day earlier due to the terrorist attacks. Canadian journalist Ken Hechtman isreleased by the Taliban after seven days in jail. U.S. warplanes continue bombing Talibanpositions around Kandahar as anti-Taliban forces launch ground offensives around the city.Diplomats and Afghan leaders inch closer to an agreement during lengthy meetings in Bonn.John Walker, an American citizen who identified himself as Abdul Hamid, emerged from thesiege of the prison in Mazar-e-Sharif with 85 other Taliban fighters. Walker said he convertedto Islam, and traveled to Afghanistan six months ago "to help the Islamic government." Aftertalking to reporters Walker was reportedly taken away by U.S. Special Forces.Jerusalem AttackedUS Nears Kandahar

Dec. 2:
  U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft announced that the Canada-U.S.A. border will bebe patrolled by the U.S. National Guard to allow overworked U.S. customs agents to returnto regular duties. Another suicide bomber kills at least 15 people and injures over 40, in apowerful bus explosion in the Israeli port city of Haifa. Israeli PM Ariel Sharon meets with U.S.President George W. Bush, and departs for Israel to deal with the dramatic escalation of terroragainst Israel. After the latest attacks on Israel, President Bush said, "This is a moment wherethe advocates for peace in the Middle East must rise up and fight terror." The body of Johnny(Mike) Spann, the first known U.S. combat casualty, arrives at Andrews Air Force Base with aMarine honor guard. Many high-ranking Taliban figures are reportedly on the verge ofsurrendering Kandahar, as opposition forces close in, and U.S. bombers continue to pound thecity. U.S. government officials say that they have begun dispatching diplomatic, military, andintelligence agents to Asia and Africa to lay the groundwork for future war on terrorism efforts.PM Sharon & BushHaifa Bus Explodes

Dec. 3:
  Palestinian leaders accuse Israel of "declaring war" after Israeli gunships and F-16fighter bombers destroy Yasser Arafat's helicopters in Gaza and a police station on the WestBank. In a rare live televised address Israeli PM Sharon said, "Those who rise up to kill us areresponsible for their own destruction." Sharon described PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat as "thebiggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East." U.S. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said,"Obviously Israel has the right to defend herself." Arafat declared a state of emergency, androunded up 150 militants connected to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. U.S. Homeland SecurityDirector Tom Ridge tells Americans to brace for fresh terrorist attacks, and put the nation on ahigh state of alert. Ridge said, "We are a nation at war. There are shadowy soldiers. This is ashadowy enemy." This is the third warning issued by the U.S. government. The FBI issuedprevious high alert warnings on October 11th and 29th. U.S. B-52 bombers strike targetsaround Kandahar and Osama bin Laden's suspected hideout near Jalalabad. Rival Afghanleaders edged toward a UN-brokered deal to form a post-Taliban government. After sevendays of talks in Bonn, the group is down to selecting the 29 names for a transitional cabinet.Arafat Chopper HitRidge - New Threats

Dec. 4:
  The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to worsen as Israel brands Yasser Arafat'sPalestinian Authority a "supporter of terrorism." Israeli warplanes strike at eight Palestinianfacilities in the West Bank and Gaza, and Israeli bulldozers destroy the runway at GazaInternational Airport. Arafat is reportedly seeking refuge from the Israeli air strikes in anunderground facility in Ramallah. Afghan militiamen begin massing near Jalalabad for anassault on the Tora Bora mountain fortress thought to be a likely Osama bin Laden hideout.Pakistan gives U.S. intelligence officials access to arrested members of Osama bin Laden'sal-Qaeda network including two retired nuclear scientists who were detained for ties to binLaden. In Bonn, Germany the leaders of Afghanistan's four main ethnic groups agree inprinciple to a new interim government. The Bonn delegates broke into applause andhandshakes after the deal was announced. Speaking from Kabul, Northern Alliance ForeignMinister Abdullah Abdullah said, "The transition of war to peace is taking place in a verysmooth manner." Abdullah added, "Nobody expected, after 23 years of war, in a matterof days, that we will agree upon every detail."UN Afghan TalksAfghan Marine Base

Dec. 5:
  Afghan tanks supported by American bombers begin an offensive strike on Osama binLaden's suspected mountaintop stronghold in Tora Bora. Friendly fire from the strikes near theTora Bora caves kills three U.S. soldiers and five Pashtun tribal fighters. U.S. President Bushsaid, "I, along with the rest of America, grieve for the loss of life in Afghanistan. I want thefamilies to know that they died for a noble and just cause." The U.N. announces from Bonn thatHamid Karzai, a western-educated Pashtun who is leading 4,0000 troops in the assault onKandahar, will assume control of the provisional Afghan government on December 22nd. Karzaisaid, "My priority will be peace and stability." Karzai also disclosed the Taliban's supreme leaderMullah Muhammad Omar, has agreed to surrender Kandahar if he and other senior leaders aregranted amnesty. Canadian Defence Department officials announce that members of theCanadian army's secretive anti-terrorist unit JTF2 are heading to an undisclosed location to joinU.S. and British special forces. Canadian officials also said the Canadian frigate HMCS Torontowill depart for the Arabian Sea and join five other Canadian warships and 2,000 Canadiantroops already committed to the war on terror.Afghan Cabinet DealTaliban Prisoners

Dec. 6:
  Interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai announces the surrender of Taliban forces in thesouthern stronghold of Kandahar. In return for surrendering and giving up weapons the Talibanwere offered amnesty, although Karzai said some 650 al-Qaeda fighters "would be brought tojustice." U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld quickly spoke out against amnesty forTaliban Supreme Leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, saying, "Would an arrangement with Omar ...be consistent with what I've said? The answer is no." If amnesty was granted to Omar, Rumsfeldsaid "co-operation and assistance" with opposition forces "would clearly take a turn south."Rumsfeld orders an investigation into the friendly fire death of three American Green Beretsoldiers who died near Kandahar on December 5th after a B-52 bomber dropped a 900-kilogrambomb near front line U.S. troops. Secretary of State Colin Powell met with NATO allies inBrussels to discuss the makeup of a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. U.S. Attorney GeneralJohn Ashcroft appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to defend the U.S. administrationplans to implement anti-terrorism measures for "war criminals." Senior U.S. officials say theyare providing air support for Alliance troops fighting the al-Qaeda forces near cave complexesin Tora Bora, south of Jalalabad.Afghan Cave WarAshcroft Hearings

Dec. 7:
  The Times of London reports that Taliban spiritual leader Mullah Muhammad Omar isbeing held captive in a "friendly environment" near the city of Kandahar. Amid reports of the fallof Kandahar, other reports indicate Omar was still in Kandahar or had fled. Afghanistan's interimleader Hamid Karzai toughened his stance on Omar describing him as a "fugitive" who should bebrought to "international justice." In a significant shift in American policy a State Departmentofficial said Omar and other top Taliban leaders should be tried by Afghans for "crimes againstthe Afghan people" rather than necessarily facing American justice. Chaos in the Kandahar areareigns with indications that thousands of Taliban troops reneged on their promise to surrender,and slipped out of Kandahar. Eleven escaping Taliban fighters are killed in the first operationalclash with U.S. forces in the region. U.S. Marines skirmish with enemy forces who are "perimeterprobing" outside the U.S. compound dubbed Camp Rhino. American B-52 bombers continue topound the caves around Tora Bora as opposition forces drive the remaining al-Qaeda forcesdeeper into the surrounding mountains. Speaking aboard the USS Enterprise docked in Norfolk,Virginia U.S. President George W. Bush says the military is "succeeding" in the liberation ofAfghanistan. Bush added, "We are a long way from finishing. Much difficult and dangerous workis to be done." Bush was on the carrier for a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary ofthe Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. American ships in the Arabian Sea board cargo ships inthe area searching for fleeing Al-Qaeda commanders. Israeli F-16 jets destroy PLO leaderYasser Arafat's police headquarters in Gaza City. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, firefighters, rescueworkers, and relief workers hold a ceremony in New York, where a Christmas tree trucked fromCanada, is lit near the site of the World Trade Center's Ground Zero.WTC Christmas TreePearl Harbor's 60th

Dec. 8:
  The allies tighten the dragnet around the fortified mountain hideouts of the al-Qaeda,as U.S. bombers continue to pound the Malawa mountains near Tora Bora. Afghan commanderHaji Zahir said the al-Qaeda forces near Tora Bora were told they were surrounded and had nomore than five days to surrender. U.S. marines in southern Afghanistan seal the escape routesout of Kandahar, and show photographs of the key al-Qaeda leaders to local Afghans. Pakistandeploys helicopter gunships and troops along the Afghan border to prevent al-Qaeda's escape.The Washington Post reports that the United States has obtained a videotape of Osama binladen describing the damage to the world Trade Center as being much greater than he hadexpected. According to senior U.S. government officials, the tape was obtained in Afghanistanduring the search of a private home in Jalalabad. In the tape bin Laden praises Allah for successand he uses language that indicates he was familiar with the planning of the attacks. Bin Ladenexplains on the tape how he expected only the top of the World Trade Center to collapse, andbin Laden also indicates that more destruction is coming. Go to Washington Post videotape story.Camp Rhino SunsetTaliban Soldier Aims

Dec. 9:
  U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney confirms that the U.S. has an incriminating video ofOsama bin Laden, and indicates President Bush is considering release of the tape to furtherprove Osama bin Laden's responsibility for the September 11th attacks. American warplanesunleash wave after wave of air strikes on the snow-capped Tora Bora mountain complex whereOsama bin Laden and 1,000 al-Qaeda fighters are believed to be dug in. U.S. military leadersexpress confidence in bin Laden's whereabouts saying, "Our latest information is ... that he isin this area, the so-called Tora Bora are." Eighteen Northern Alliance soldiers including severalcommanders are killed in a helicopter crash in northern Afghanistan. The United Nations beginsa massive wheat distribution relief effort in Kabul. The astronauts and cosmonauts aboard theSpace Shuttle Endeavor and the International Space Station pay tribute to those who died onSept. 11 and those who are fighting terrorism. Endeavor is carrying thousands of small flags tobe distributed to relatives of the victims. Also sent to space was a U.S. flag that was flying at theWorld Trade Center on the morning of the attacks. North Korea accuses the U.S. of making ita target after Afghanistan, saying the country is "in full combat preparedness to lay down theirlives for the country ... things will be different in the case of the second Korean War."Camp Rhino MarinesSunday Service

Dec. 10:
  Kofi Annan accepts the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Norway. Annan said, "We haveentered the third millennium through a gate of fire. If today, after the horror of 11 September,we see the better, and we see further - we will realize that humanity is indivisible." Hundreds ofAfghan tribal fighters storm the valley below the Tora Bora cave complex while Eastern Alliancetanks and U.S. bombers pound the Taliban positions on the mountains above them. U.S. Marinesmove into the capital city of Kabul and secure the grounds of the American embassy more than12 years after it was abandoned in the wake of the Soviet withdrawal. U.S. Marines close in onKandahar and deploy "hunter-killer" teams around the city to intercept escaping al-Qaeda orTaliban fighters. U.S. officials say President Bush is leaning towards the release of the Osamabin Laden videotape found in a Jalalabad apartment about 10 days ago. Bush said, "For thosewho see this tape, they realize that not only is he guilty of incredible murder, he has noconscience and no soul. He represents the worst of civilization." The Telegraph in London reportsthat five American officers have secretly entered Somalia to search for terrorist camps. A U.S.State Department delegation arrives in northern Iraq to pull Kurdish and other anti-governmentforces together. U.S. Secretary of Defense Powell meets with Russian President Putin in Moscow.Annan Nobel PrizePowell and Putin

Dec. 11:
  U.S. aircraft resume bombing of the last stronghold of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaedaforces after a "surrender or die" deadline passed without any sign of compliance. Afghan tribaltroops capture many of the caves and tunnels in the mountainous Tora Bora cave sanctuary.Zacarias Moussaoui, the so-called 20th hijacker, becomes the first person charged in connectionwith the planning of the September 11 attacks. Investigators believe Moussaoui, who wasarrested in Minnesota in August, may have been the fifth member of the team of hijackers onFlight 93. U.S. President Bush speaks at a White House ceremony commemorating the 3-monthanniversary of the September attacks, and later speaks at The Citadel military college in SouthCarolina, where he warns "rogue nations" that "They have been warned. They are beingwatched and they will be held to account." U.S. officials confirm that about 100 U.S. specialforces are operating in Somalia, carrying out reconnaissance, looking for al-Qaeda members,and liaising with opposition groups. The 3-month anniversary of the September 11 attacks isremembered across America at 8:
 46 A.M. EDT, with services at Ground Zero, the White House,the Pentagon, and near the crash site of Flight 93. Go to December 11, 2001 memorial images.Bush / The CitadelRumsfeld / Pentagon

Dec. 12:
  American warplanes continue to blast al-Qaeda holdouts near Tora Bora as reportsfrom news correspondents hint that Osama bin Laden has escaped from Afghanistan. Americanand Afghan officials expressed concern that key al-Qaeda leaders may have escaped into thetribal areas of northern Pakistan. The Christian Science Monitor reports that bin Laden mighthave fled to Pakistan 10 days ago with the help of local tribesmen. U.S. government officialsdecide to delay the release of an incriminating bin Laden videotape to ensure accuracy in thetranslation "before anything is released to the world." All four crew members are rescued fromthe Indian Ocean after a U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber malfunctions and crashes. U.S. HomelandSecurity Director Tom Ridge and Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley sign a 30-point"smart border" action plan in Ottawa. Palestinian gunmen ambush a bus outside the Jewishsettlement of Emmanuel, killing ten passengers. Soon after the attack Israel cuts contact withYasser Arafat and the Israeli government indicates their military would commence widespreadoperations to disarm militants in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Shortly after the attacks Arafatissues a late-night order that all offices and institutions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad be closed.Israel Bus AmbushCamp Rhino Return

Dec. 13:
  U.S. warplanes continue to pound the caves near Tora Bora amid reports of massiveexplosions in the mountains. U.S. officials say that the al-Qaeda leaders in the Tora Bora cavesare surrounded, and putting up strong opposition, indicating the possibility Osama bin Laden isamong them. .U.S. President Bush announces that he is pulling out of the 1972 Anti-BallisticMissile Treaty with Russia, starting a six-month timetable for withdrawal and clearing the wayfor creation of an anti-missile defense system. From the White House Bush said, "I haveconcluded the ABM treaty hinders our government's ability to develop ways to protect ourpeople from future terrorist or rogue state missile attacks." Russian President Putin goes onnational TV and calls the decision "a mistake." India is put on a full state of alert after gunmenstorm India's parliament in a 30-minute shootout that leaves twelve dead. Israeli forces attackpositions in Gaza and the West Bank and say Arafat is "irrelevant." The Pentagon releases avideotape, found in Jalalabad in November, clearly showing Osama bin Laden's full knowledgeof the September 11 attack details. After days of translation the tape is broadcast worldwide.Go to the text and images of the Osama bin Laden videotape released by the Pentagon. Bush Cancels ABMPentagon Videotape

Dec. 14:
  India accuses a Pakistan-based Islamic militant group of carrying out the suicideattack on Parliament and demands that Pakistan arrest the group's leaders. Israel launchesnight incursions into villages, killing six Palestinians, and arresting 40 "terrorist suspects."Israel confirms for the first it was looking for a successor to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.An Arafat aid called the Israeli raids "a new massacre by the Israeli forces." British officials saythey will send a 12-member team to Kabul to gather information on the preparation of a UnitedNations force that will arrive later in the month to protect the capital of Kabul. Afghan fighterssupported by American aerial bombardment say they have routed the remnants of the al-Qaedaforces in the positions they held in the Tora Bora caves, and only a small pocket of fighters nowremain on a snow-capped mountain ridge in eastern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan.U.S. President Bush urges patience in the hunt for Osama bin Laden saying, ""I don't knowwhether we're going to get him tomorrow, or a month from now, or a year from now, but we'regoing to get him." Captured American Taliban fighter John Walker is moved from Camp Rhinoin southern Afghanistan to a U.S. navy ship in the Arabian Sea. A U.S. Defense Departmentofficial characterizes Walker's disposition as a "battlefield detainee." Hundreds of U.S. marinesfrom camp Rhino begin the occupation of the strategic Kandahar airport. Many newspapers inthe Arab world play down the significance of the videotape of Osama bin Laden who discussesthe September 11 attack. Some Arabic news agencies question the authenticity of the video,which brings a strong response from President Bush who said, "This is bin Laden unedited. It'spreposterous for anybody to think that this tape is doctored. That's just a feeble excuse toprovide weak support for an incredibly evil man." The last remaining large piece of the WorldTrade Center is prepared for removal from Ground Zero and NYC officials say the piece will bestored and later used as part of a future memorial. U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said aninteragency task force will review ways to prevent leaks of classified information.B-52 Sky ContrailsConvoy to Kandahar

Dec. 15:
  The remaining al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in the Tora Bora area are reportedlycloser to surrender as U.S. bombs continue to rain on them, and the cornered soldiers arerunning short of ammunition and supplies. U.S. officials say that Osama bin Laden was recentlyheard giving orders on intercepted short-wave radio transmissions near Tora Bora. Alliancecommander Haji Zaher said, "I believe bin Laden is not here." India and Pakistan continue toexchange warnings in the aftermath of the suicide attacks on India's parliament. Palestinianofficials report 13 people are killed in the second straight day of lightning raids by Israeli forces.Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, and prepare forthe start of the Islamic feast of Eid-al-Fitr. The anthrax spores mailed to Capitol Hill are tracedback to U.S. Army stocks after genetic matches are found at five U.S. laboratories. The finalstanding facade of the World Trade Center's Tower One is toppled and removed for storage. Go to sequence images of the take down of the WTC Tower One facade.Tora Bora Pounded

Dec. 16:
  Afghan forces declare they have wiped out the last pockets of al-Qaeda resistance inthe Tora Bora mountains. Afghan commanders estimate about 200 al-Qaeda fighters were killedand another 35 were captured. Osama bin Laden continues to elude his pursuers with scatteredconflicting reports of his whereabouts.  U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stops briefly atthe Bagram airbase near Kabul, and spoke to soldiers of the army's 10th Mountain Division.Rumsfeld becomes the first senior Bush administration official to step foot in Afghanistan. Aftera tour of the base, Rumsfeld held a town meeting with U.S. forces saying "The President of theUnited States, the commander-in-chief, is determined to let the world know that our countrycannot be attacked without consequences, and you are bringing the consequences." Three U.S.marines are injured, one seriously, after a soldier stepped on an explosive device during asearch for mines and booby traps at Kandahar airport. India says it has evidence linking thesuicide attack on its parliament to Pakistani intelligence. The Pakistani government denied anyinvolvement in the attack. Palestine Leader Yasser Arafat broadcasts a rare live TV and radioaddress calling for an end to the suicide bombings in Israel. U.S. officials say they are still tryingto identify the person sitting with Osama bin Laden in the November 9 Kandahar home movie.Rumsfeld in BagramKandahar Injuries

Dec. 17:
  After pounding the Tora Bora mountains for days, U.S. military officials say the trailhas gone cold in the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Rear-Admiral John Stufflebeem said it is"anybody's guess" on bin Laden's location. Stufflebeem, who is the deputy director of operationsfor the Joint Chiefs of Staff, added, "A few days ago we believed he was in that (Tora Bora)area, and now we're not as sure." As bitter rhetoric continues between India and Pakistan, U.S.Secretary of State Colin Powell says the situation "has the potential of becoming verydangerous." Saudi officials say the man in the bin Laden video is Khaled al-Harbi, a Muslimguerilla fighter. The U.S. embassy is officially re-opened in Kabul with a flag raising ceremony.U.S. Embassy Kabul

Dec. 18:
  Afghan refugees stream past the Pakistani border to return to their homes in war-tornAfghanistan. Afghan tribal warriors prepare to attack the last remnants of the Taliban in theareas around Kandahar. FBI agents arrive in Afghanistan to interrogate al-Qaeda prisoners onthe movements and whereabouts of Osama bin Laden. Twelve people are killed when Yemeniforces storm a village to capture al-Qaeda members operating in Yemen. Speaking from NATOheadquarters in Brussels, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tells the NATO alliance, "Weneed to face the reality that the attacks of September 11, horrific as they were, may in fact bea dim preview of what is to come if we do not prepare today to defend our people fromadversaries with weapons of increasing power and range." Interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzaimeets with Afghanistan's exiled king in Rome, and asks the former king to return home. U.S.President George W. Bush signs legislation designating September 11 as Patriot Day in honorof those killed in the September 11 attacks. A flag from the wreckage of the WTC, and signedby firemen, police, NYC officials, and victim's families, is raised over the Kandahar airport. A fireat the 100 year-old Cathedral of St. John the Divine, is fought by over 200 NYC firemen.Rumsfeld NATO HQFire NYC Cathedral

Dec. 19:
  Israel agrees to resume talks with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.Dozens of al-Qaeda fighters, who were captured in Pakistan after fleeing Tora Bora, revoltagainst their Pakistani guards and escape into the hills. At least six al-Qaeda fighters and sixPakistani police were killed. New York City officials said the people killed or missing in theWorld Trade Center attacks has fallen to less than 3,000. New York's Liberty Island opens forthe first time since Sept. 11th. After 99 days the WTC fires are extinguished, and become thelongest burning commercial fire fire in U.S. history. Go to December 19th WTC images.Fireman NYC Ferry

Dec. 20:
  British Royal Marine commandos arrive in Kabul in advance of the arrival of a UnitedNations multinational security force expected to number about 3,000 peacekeeping soldiers. AnIraqi civil engineer who defected in August claims that Sadam Hussein has accelerated work onbiological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. The Pentagon says they might dispatch U.S. Marinesto the Tora Bora region in the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Pakistani troops kill an al-Qaedafighter and recapture about a dozen others, one day after fugitives overpowered border guards.The last remaining building at the WTC is taken down. Go to December 20th WTC images.Marine in Kandahar

Dec. 21:
  Palestinian supporters of militant Islamic groups battle with Yasser Arafat's securityforces in the Gaza Strip leaving at least six dead. Under heavy pressure from Arafat, the IslamicResistance Movement, known as Hamas, issues a formal declaration that suspends suicideattacks and mortar attacks against Israel. India recalls its ambassador from Pakistan andannounces a shut down of rail and bus links to Pakistan effective January 1st. American jetsattack a convoy killing 65 people near Khost, about 160 km. south of Kabul. The Pentagon saysthey are confident it was a convoy of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters, but locals and some Arabicnews agencies say the convoy was a group of tribal elders heading to Kabul for the December22nd inauguration of the new Afghan government. U.S. President George W. Bush tells reportersthat Osama bin Laden "may have tried to slither out into neighboring Pakistan." The Pentagonsays it is sending "thermobaric" bombs to remove the al-Qaeda from caves around Tora Bora.NY firefighters arrive in Kabul on a mission of remembrance and to bring aid to Afghan orphans.FDNY Afghanistan

Dec. 22:
  A passenger on American Airlines Flight 63 bound from Paris to Miami tries to ignitean "improvised explosive" in his shoes, but flight attendants and passengers subdue him. TheAA plane was diverted to Boston's Logan airport under the escort of U.S. fighter jets. Followingreports of an armada of at least 20 ships linked to Osama bin Laden, British anti-terrorist policeescort a suspicious Indian cargo ship to the Isle of Wight for inspection. After a six-hour pursuitof a North Korean fishing boat suspected of spying, a Japanese Coast Guard patrol boat sinksthe fleeing vessel after a fierce gun battle ensued between the two crews. Indian and Pakistanitroops exchange gun fire along their border in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir. ThePentagon says it has sent a team to investigate whether U.S. warplanes mistakenly killed aconvoy of Afghan tribal leaders who were thought to be fleeing Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders. An Afghan diplomat says the existing photographs of Mullah Mohammed Omar are not correct.Hamid Karzai takes the oath of office as Afghanistan's interim prime minister in a ceremony inthe Afghan capital of Kabul. Karzai pledges to "fulfill my mission to bring peace to Afghanistan."Afghan PM  Karzai 

Dec. 23:
  The man with explosive devices aboard Miami bound Flight 63 is identified as RichardC. Reid, the name on his British passport. French authorities identify the bomb suspect as TariqRaja from Sri Lanka. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat says he will defy an Israeli travel ban andgo to Bethlehem for midnight mass in the Church of the Nativity. India and Pakistan rush troopsto the Kashmir border after four people are killed in gun battles in the Samba sector of Kashmir.India asks the U.S. to declare Pakistan as a "terrorist state." Abdul Salam Zaeef, the formerAfghan Taliban ambassador to Pakistan applies for asylum in Pakistan, saying "it is dangerousfor me to go" to Afghanistan. The London Telegraph reports that uranium was found in anal-Qaeda tunnel complex near Kandahar airport, raising fears that Osama bin Laden may haveobtained materials for a nuclear "dirty bomb". Osama bin Laden's mother is quoted in theLondon Mail doubting her son's guilt, saying, "I don't believe that he did the terrible deeds theysay he did." Time magazine names New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as Person of the Year in 2001.Person of the Year 

Dec. 24:
  A senior Afghan official said Osama bin Laden was seen in a remote village in Pakistannear the Afghanistan border.  Afghan soldiers continue to comb the Tora Bora caves in search ofthe top al-Qaeda leaders. Flight 63 shoe bomb suspect Richard Reid made his first courtappearance in a Boston court. Yasser Arafat is denied access to Christmas Eve celebrations inBethlehem. Arafat's trademark black-and-white keffiya headdress was draped on an emptychair in St. Catherine's church in Bethlehem.Bush at Camp David 

Dec. 25:
  A rare gun battle near the Jordanian border leaves an Israeli soldier and two attackersdead. India and Pakistan moved warplanes, troops, and missiles to their border as the talk ofwar between the countries intensified. Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, "We donot want war, but war is being thrust on us and we will have to face it." General Tommy Franks,aboard the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt said that U.S. coalition forces will continue to searchthe Tora Bora caves for Osama bin Laden "until we satisfy ourselves that he is there and dead."Kandahar Christmas

Dec. 26:
  Al-Jazeera TV broadcasts a five-minute excerpt of a videotape of Osama bin Laden,indicating bin Laden was alive as of late November or early December. Osama bin Laden refers,in the tape received in the mail by al-Jazeera, that the WTC attacks occurred "three monthsago." The video shows Bin Laden as noticeably weaker in appearance, looking gaunt and gray.U.S. commandos and anti-Taliban forces continue to search Tora Bora caves for clues to thewhereabouts of key al-Qaeda leaders. For the third straight day no bombs were dropped byAmerican warplanes who continue to fly over Afghanistan. Afghan PM Hamid Karzai believes theTaliban are defeated, saying "Some may still be here, but I don't think they are in largenumbers. I think that terrorism is largely defeated in Afghanistan." India and Pakistan moveguided missiles to the border, in the biggest military buildup in the region in over 20 years. Shoebomb suspect Richard Reid is confirmed as a British citizen born in London, and Reid is said tobe linked to Muslim extremists. Airports worldwide put in new security measures to check shoesfor explosives. Read excerpts from Osama bin Laden's 

Dec. video broadcast on al-Jazeera TV.Bin Laden VideotapeKarachi Camouflage

Dec. 27:
  The White House dismisses the latest Osama bin Laden tape as "terrorist propaganda"after al -Jazeera TV plays the 34-minute video in its entirety. In the tape bin Laden says, "Thoseblessed strikes have inflicted on America, by its own admission ... more than $1 trillion inlosses." Bin Laden continues to show his involvement in the September 11th attacks when hesaid on the video, "Hurricanes blew to strike their castle and tell them:
  We won't stop the attacksuntil you leave our lands." U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the U.S. plans to turnits navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, into a detention center for al-Qaeda and Talibanprisoners. India and Pakistan inch closer to the brink of war as both countries levy sanctions todiplomatic staff, and India announces it is banning Pakistani aircraft from its airspace.Kashmir Fighting

Dec. 28:
  Pakistan and India move closer to all-out war as border troops shell each other in thedisputed Jammu-Kashmir region. The Indian army also ordered the evacuation of border towns.Pakistan warns the U.S. they may no longer provide logistic support in the search for al-Qaedaleaders, saying the Pakistani troops are required for support in the looming conflict with India.General Tommy Franks meets with U.S. President Bush at Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch whereBush tells reporters, Osama bin Laden "is a guy who three months ago was in control of acountry. Now he's maybe in control of a cave. He's on the run."Osama "On the Run"

Dec. 29:
  American bombers attack a suspected Taliban leadership compound near Gardez,south of Kabul. U.S. defense officials say there are 125 Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners at adetention facility near Kandahar. The Persian Gulf island nation of Bahrain pledges its bestwarship to the coalition against terrorism.  A senior Afghan intelligence chief claims to havereceived "reliable information" that Osama bin Laden paid a "large amount" of money to anAfghan commander to be taken across the border to Pakistan. U.S. officials are reportedlyoffering cash "incentives" to Afghan militia commanders to assist in the hunt for bin Laden.Ground Zero Cranes

Dec. 30:
  The chairman of the Senate intelligence committee says that Osama bin laden haslikely survived the American military campaign and may have escaped to Pakistan. Afghan andBritish negotiators reach an agreement opening the way for a multinational peacekeeping forceto be deployed around Afghanistan. Afghan officials say they will restore the two giant sandstoneBuddhas destroyed by the Taliban in March, 2001. An observation platform with an unobstructedview of the World Trade Center's Ground Zero opens with long line-ups in New York City. Chopper Hard Crash

Dec. 31:
  The war rhetoric and tensions between India and Pakistan appear to ease afterPakistan arrests over 30 Islamic militant leaders. India's foreign minister called the arrests "astep in the correct direction." Anti-Taliban forces move towards Baghran, 118 miles (190 km)northwest of Kandahar, in search of Mullah Mohammed Omar. U.S. officials say they have"credible" evidence senior Taliban and al Qaeda leaders are in the Baghran region. MichaelBloomberg is sworn in as the new Mayor of New York City taking effect at midnight. RudyGiuliani closes the NYSE and celebrates New Years Eve with New Yorkers in Time Square.