Reading Two September: A Turning Point On September 11, 200 ✓ Solved

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Reading Two September : A Turning Point On September 11, 2001

On September 11, 2001, four U.S. passenger planes were hijacked and used as flying bombs in a coordinated action that targeted the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon just outside of Washington D.C. Two of the four hijacked planes slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and a third plane hit its mark by diving into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, its suicide attack foiled by passengers who opposed their captors. More than 3,000 people were killed, thousands more were wounded, and the loss of property was unprecedented. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, resulted in many changes in the United States and around the world.

The events horrified people around the world who understood that two symbols of American global, financial, and military dominance had been signaled out in a carefully planned and executed mission of destruction. Osama bin Laden was identified as the source of terrorist devastation. The event was immediately compared to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which provoked the entry of the United States into World War II. President George W. Bush declared, in the wake of the terrorist attacks, that the United States was entering a “new kind of war,” one not waged between nations but one whose stateless enemy would be sought out and hunted down.

Terrorism had long plagued Europe and the Middle East, but the September 11 attacks marked the first time in history that an attack of terrorism warfare by an external enemy took place on American soil. This terrorist attack event marked a turning point in the struggle against terrorism and a new focus in state security measures of western governments. It also marked the beginning of a new war. Osama bin Laden, a Saudi Arabian millionaire, who had been trained by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, had fought against the Russians in Afghanistan between 1980 and 1989.

In June 2001, bin Laden called on all the Muslims of the world to mobilize themselves into a general jihad, a holy war against their enemies. It was three months after this call-to-arms that terrorists dealt their most extreme blow against the United States. Because of this new threat, the Americans and their allies in Europe and throughout the world joined forces, pledging to eradicate terrorism. Stringent security measures in airports and public places were instituted worldwide as nations faced harsh new political realities, including incidents of bioterrorism— germ warfare against civilians—that took place in the United States in the months following the September terrorist attacks.

When the European Union and the United States passed new laws and directives to combat terrorism, critics feared the curtailment of civil liberties. Racist incidents against Muslims and Arabs mounted, even as European and American leaders stressed that bin Laden and his network was a non-representative and fanatical fringe within the Muslim world. In October 2001, less than one month after the attacks, the United States and Great Britain began massive bombing of Afghanistan, the small mountainous country said to be harboring bin Laden after the Taliban, the fundamentalist Muslim ruling group, refused to hand bin Laden over to the United States.

Paper For Above Instructions

The events of September 11, 2001, hold a monumental place in history, marking a profound shift in global politics, security, and societal discourse. The coordinated attacks perpetrated by al-Qaeda fundamentally altered the American landscape, propelling the United States into a state of heightened awareness and insecurity. This paper explores the implications of September 11 regarding international relations, domestic policies, and the evolution of terrorism.

Immediate Aftermath and Global Reaction

The immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks brought forth a surge of national and international solidarity. Globally, many countries expressed their condolences and support for the United States. This sympathy, however, was soon overshadowed by fear and a growing rhetoric supporting military action against perceived threats. The invocation of the events as a “new kind of war” set a precedent for the United States’ military and foreign policy strategies in the ensuing decades (Lutz, 2012).

Comparisons to the attack on Pearl Harbor signified a collective understanding of 9/11 not just as an act of terrorism but as a direct assault on national dignity and security. In the face of this unprecedented challenge, President George W. Bush called for decisive action, thus redefining war and state security in a manner that extended far beyond traditional notions of conflict (Bamford, 2012).

Changes in Domestic Policies

This new paradigm resulted in extensive changes within U.S. domestic policy, exemplified by the enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act. This legislation aimed to bolster law enforcement's capabilities in combating domestic terrorism, but raised alarms concerning civil liberties and the potential for unwarranted surveillance (Riley, 2010). Furthermore, security measures at airports and public places underwent dramatic revisions, impacting the daily routines of citizens and visitors alike.

The ramifications of these policies continue to resonate, challenging the balance between national security and individual freedoms. The societal climate shifted toward one often characterized by suspicion and intrusive scrutiny, particularly directed at Muslim and Arab communities, leading to increased incidents of discrimination and hate crimes (Juris, 2009).

International Military Engagements

In international relations, the aftermath of the attacks catalyzed U.S. military interventions in Afghanistan, marking the beginning of the War on Terror. The invasion aimed to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime from power, leading to prolonged military engagement that has raised questions about the effectiveness and ethics of such interventions (Mahnken, 2016). The justification of such actions often hinged on a binary narrative of good versus evil, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.

Moreover, this new era led to the establishment of coalitions between the U.S. and various nations against terrorism, often at the expense of diplomatic ties with countries perceived as supportive of terrorism. Sanctions and military actions served to isolate nations like Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, reshaping alliances worldwide (Gordon, 2012).

The Transformative Nature of Terrorism

The nature of terrorism itself has transformed in the years following 9/11. The conception of terrorism as a stateless, decentralized threat marked a departure from earlier paradigms, complicating policy responses and military strategies (Schmid, 2013). The emergence of groups such as ISIS highlighted the evolution of jihadist methodologies, utilizing social media and digital platforms to recruit and radicalize individuals globally.

Furthermore, counter-terrorism measures implemented in the years post-9/11 often faced opposition from civil liberties advocates who argued that the sacrifices made in the name of security compromised the core democratic principles that the U.S. aimed to protect. The challenges of addressing domestic radicalization while fostering a just society remain an ongoing struggle (Kalyvas, 2015).

Conclusion

In conclusion, September 11, 2001, serves as a significant turning point in understanding contemporary international and domestic politics. The attacks catalyzed transformations within security policies, military engagements, and societal relations. While the intention to combat terrorism was undeniably necessary, the implications of such actions necessitate a careful examination of civil liberties, ethical governance, and global diplomacy. As the world continues to wrestle with the ramifications of that fateful day, it is imperative that the lessons learned shape a more inclusive and just society.

References

• Bamford, J. (2012). The Shadow Factory: The Ultra-secret NSA from 9/11 to the Eavesdropping on America. Anchor Books.
• Gordon, P. (2012). New War: The Untold Story of the War on Terror. Oxford University Press.
• Juris, J. S. (2009). Transnational Activism, Global Social Movements, and the Politics of Rejection. Stanford University Press.
• Kalyvas, S. N. (2015). The Logic of Violence in Civil War. Cambridge University Press.
• Lutz, D. S. (2012). Global Terrorism: A Comprehensive Introductory Text. Routledge.
• Mahnken, T. G. (2016). The Counter-insurgency Challenge: A New Approach to Conflict. Stanford University Press.
• Riley, D. (2010). Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board: Hearings on the USA PATRIOT Act. The Congress.
• Schmid, A. P. (2013). The Routledge Handbook of Terrorism Research. Routledge.

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