What is the significance of 9/11?
This essay will argue that the events of 9/11 and the Bush led war on terror that followed, are extremely significant as they have created a new pattern for the understanding of world politics. Within this new pattern, the twenty-first century has experienced a divide between western powers and their allies, and some Middle-Eastern states. The events of 9/11 directly threatened the U.S. supremacy, marking the first significant terrorist attack on U.S. soil. As well as this, it became evident that there are new tactics available for individuals wanting to threaten the superpower. In enhancing the understanding of these new tactics, David Rapoport’s theory of the ‘Waves of Terrorism’ will be explored. While
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Bush’s pragmatic response in announcing a military response rather than one of law enforcement and diplomacy, caused mass controversy following the declaration, and for years after due to the long-standing instability of the region pre and post U.S. interference. However, while the initial invasion of Afghanistan was deemed a preventative war, the ongoing nature of the conflict has increased the public opposition to the U.S. involvement in the region. This U.S. led conflict has directly re-shaped the way nations act within the international system. This is due to the global condemnation of this ‘new’ threat and the influential power that the hegemony continues to project. Additionally, the U.S. failed to accurately comply with international law in its invasion of Afghanistan, with their use of force. While under international law it is authorised for states to use military force as a measure of self-defence, there are a range of other factors that must be considered in addition to this. Both Articles 2 and 51 of the United Nations Charter directly outline the restrictions of the use of force on another nation (Charter of the United Nations, 1945). However, Article 51 states that it permits nations to act with force against an armed attack, in the case of self-defence (Eric Heize, 2011). Therefore, Article 51 suggests that force may be permitted as purely a
Modern terrorism, as deduced from this literature, is acts to violence strategically used by secular groups spanning international borders with the aim of achieving a desired outcome. Further, it can be seen as organized activity whose genesis can be traced back to the 1880’s. From then to now there are identifiable traits and patterns observed from different (terrorist) groups which have allowed for the conceptualization of the term modern terrorism. This concept therefore, can be best explained in the context of being a wave or having a life cycle. That means it is a cycle of activity demarked by phases from inception and expands along the way then eventually it declines. The world, thus far, has experienced four waves of modern
On September 11, 2001, a series of terrorist attacks were directed for the United States by means of four hijacked planes. Two of which hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center, one hit the Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department of Defense, and the fourth crashed in a field near Pittsburg after it was meant to hit the White House. The terror spread in the United States and brought concern and fear to the citizens. The impact of these terrorist attacks caused serious and detrimental damages within the country, and their result on the people were enormous; insecurity, helplessness, and susceptibility spread. Especially after the release of a videotape in which Osama Bin Laden, head of Al-Qaeda, admitted that he was responsible for the terrorist attacks. Hence, President George W, Bush declared the “war on terror” against all terrorists in the Arab world, specifically Afghanistan and Iraq. In the following paper, we will be discussing how the war on terror was waged, its effects on the target countries, and how it was perceived by political thinkers, where some saw it as a conspiracy theory against the Arab countries, and others believed the USA was the victim.
Foreign and domestic policies are not linear, rather the policies are connected in a circle, with each policy reinforcing the values of another. Domestic American terrorism in the prison and detention systems and governmental reforms are influenced by the mobilization and ethnocentrism abroad. The militarization internationally is justified by the domestic handling of the same cultural issues within the United State borders. The United States has strangely used a near Catch-22 to handle dilemmas. The United States has allowed perspective to become reality, whether with oneself or regarding issues abroad, specifically in the Middle East. Terrorism is the use or threat of fear for political or economical gain. An internal characteristic of terrorism is how dependent it is of perspective, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. To understand “terrorism,” a focus must be applied to the history, what drove an organization to commit such acts. Respectively, the Middle East has been a hotbed for the key word “terrorism,” especially because of 9/11. Subsequently, Muslims have been stigmatized by the United States as terrorists. The consequences spawned because of 9/11 require a look to the past to understand the present.
George W. Bush once said that “Our enemies have made the mistake that America’s enemies always make. They see liberty and think they saw weakness.” 9/11 was a devastating day in American history. Men, from the terrorist group Al Quada, attacked America on their own soil for the first time since Japan attack us at Pearl Harbor. But there are some things we can isolate from it. The basic overview of it. What were the terrorists doing to get ready for the day, and what was their major purpose and intention.
Post measures lead to the view of international law on the military action against non-state groups. The question was asked. “To what extent can a state actor use force, in self-defense, on the territory of another state, in order to punish a non-state group, if that state is not directly responsible for the actions of the non-state group” (Jennifer 2011, 1). The US has informed the UN Security Council citing that they will use its right of self-defence, under the terms of the UN Charter, to attack al-Qaeda training camps and Taliban military installations in Afghanistan (Martyn 2002, 1). Dramatic measures had to be taken by the US being a state actor; there was a status they had to
The images of the 9/11 attacks are still fresh and vivid in the minds of Americans who were alive to witness that tragic day. As a result of these attacks, the United States has undergone a transformation socially and politically as it seeks a remedy to the threat of Islamic terror. The years following the events were not great for the United States and for the West countries either. Even though the attacks almost 16 years ago, witnesses still remember it, like if were yesterday. The attacks also changed stereotypes for Muslims in general, which Al Qaeda was responsible.
It is nearly impossible to go an entire day in the United States without hearing of some act of terrorism. Whether it be a shooting in a public place or threats against a group of people, this violent form of conflict is prevalent in every American’s life. These ruthless acts of cold-blooded murder demonstrate evil in its purest form, and leave death and mourning in their wake. The article “Homegrown Terrorism: Is There an Islamic Wave?” gives an overview of the rise of domestic terrorism since the tragedy of 9/11. Though it was written in 2011, the core message is the same today: terrorism in the United States still continues to grow at a sickening pace, with each new attack seeming more barbaric than the last.
This essay will discuss whether or not the events of 9/11 presaged an era of ‘new terrorism’. The attacks created a change to the perceived level of vulnerability to terrorist attacks in North America given that 9/11 was the first time there was an act of terrorism on such a significant scale within the United States. While the evidence for both sides is very compelling it is difficult to label the era as “new” therefore the essay will conclude that the attacks lead to an evolution in terrorism and thus in the way Canada deals with terrorist threats.
As the Twin Towers crumbled, a day in history was being marked, and it was later said the world would never be the same as it was before the terror attacks of 9/11. The attack was not only a wake up call to the people of America, but all of the Western countries and the allies of the United States. The September 11 attacks changed people’s views on security in their own countries. It unleashed a great outbreak of panic in both America and Europe, which forced the government leaders to take action in order to protect their people and prevent similar attacks from happening in the future. Many countries, standing side by side with USA, proposed anti-terrorism policies and restricted immigration from the Middle East to show the unity. In this essay
On September 11 2001, an attack was made on United States. Four systematic terrorist attacks were pulled off by the group al-Qaeda simultaneously bringing down the World Trade Centre in New York and damaging the Pentagon in Washington D.C. As extensive and in depth as the cause for the attack may have been, September 11 is an event that has undoubtedly left its mark in American history. A turning point, as some would call it, of the political, social, and economic systems of the United States. Quickly following the terrorist attack on 9/11, President George W. Bush called for a “war against terrorism.” Instead, what truly occurred was an act of counter terrorism. After 9/11, the political system of America took a turn for the worst;
One can scarcely turn on the television, or the radio, or open up a web browser without the mention of Islamic terrorism or unrest around the world. Though the United States and the rest of the world may not be engaged in a protracted religious war, for radical Muslim fundamentalist they are. Bernard Lewis brings to light possible reasons for the issues facing the world dealing with Islamic terrorism. The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror explains these issues in historical context as well as how some of the actions professed in the name of Islam and claim to
When the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred the United States responded in a manner which was seen as a traditional reaction to such an attack; it used its overwhelming superior military to invade the nation of Afghanistan. As Afghanistan was the operating base of the terrorist group responsible for the attacks, Al Qaeda, the invasion all but destroyed the group's operating capacity. But in response to the United States' apparent victory the terrorists have re-organized themselves into a looser confederation and turned to alternative methods of finance and operation. One could say that the success of the American military's answer to the September 11th attacks have created a new environment in which terrorists currently operate. This includes the use of the internet, unconventional alliances with international criminal organizations, as well the inception of the "lone wolf" terrorist. Faced with these new type of threats, the United States and its allies must find a way to identify and deal with them.
The world has been changed forever since the tragic attack on September 11, 2001. An observer described the atrocity by saying, "It just went 'bam,' like a bomb went off. It was like holy hell (CNN 1). " The new world will be different from what any American has known before. A new war has arisen, not against a foreign country or a major region of the world, but rather against a select group of people who have the capabilities to destroy the lives of so many. The war against terrorism which the United States is now forced to wage will not be an easily won battle. This war will not be fought solely on scattered battlefields in certain countries. It will instead permeate through every aspect of life as we
The history of terrorism can be traced back as far as the French revolution. Some of these acts of terrorism only seem as distant reminders of our past, but at the same time, are not a far cry from today’s brutal acts; and although these acts seem distant, it doesn’t also mean they are no longer in the thoughts of individuals in today’s time.
Kegley and Raymond stated: “The shape of the world’s future will be determined not only by changes in the objective conditions of world politics, but also by the meanings people ascribe to these conditions.” Terrorism is presently a major factor in international relations and has impacted the world to change in many significant ways. Terrorism is a political ideology that has been problematic in defining definitely because of its various interpretations around the world, as well as the fact that it is constantly evolving. Since the terrorist events of 9/11, the lives of many have been changed forever. A small group of individuals, which are a mere fraction of the population of the world, have managed to impact and shape the way international and domestic relations are looked at and handled. People question how secure and safe they feel due to uncertainty of public safety because of events such as 9/11. The war on terrorism in the 21st century has certainly and inevitably changed the landscape for global politics. However, the relationship between terrorism and global politics is troublesome and in ways problematic to describe accurately. Both terrorism and global politics individually are complicated phenomenon. It is erroneous to propose that one is responsible for the other or vice versa, but they are inextricably and inevitably linked. In the study of international relations, there are multiple theories and theoretical perspectives. In this essay, realism and liberalism