Introduction
The September 11, 2001, events etched themselves indelibly onto the collective memory of the current age. This assault on the United States, executed by a transnational extremist group, al-Qaeda, launched a new era of global conflict: the War on Terror. This timeline traces the web of events that unfolded in the aftermath of 9/11. Additionally, five items that were learned from studying this topic are discussed. The events of 9/11 and the subsequent War on Terror left profound consequences felt worldwide.
Timeline of the US War on Terror
At the beginning of the 21st century, al-Qaeda carried out a series of deadly terrorist assaults that shook the world. On September 11, 2001, hijackers took over four passenger aircraft. The Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City were eventually brought down by two aircraft, and the Pentagon in Arlington was struck by the third (McNeese 109). The fourth aircraft was en route to a target in Washington, D.C., but brave passengers prevented it from reaching its destination, and the jet crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.
The US promptly started the War on Terror in reaction to the attacks: Operation Enduring Freedom started in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 (Strachan 5). The main goal was to destroy al-Qaeda, which the Taliban government had protected. In March 2003, the United States led an invasion of Iraq under the assumption that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and that Saddam Hussein’s regime encouraged terrorism (Butt 1). The invasion plan faced harsh criticism since there was no proof of WMDs.
The pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the architect of 9/11, has remained a key focus over the years. In a raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011, bin Laden was eventually found and killed after years of clandestine operations (McNeese 5). His demise marked a turning point in the War on Terror, inflicting a blow to al-Qaeda’s leadership. Nevertheless, new extremist organizations emerged, such as the Islamic State (ISIS), which took over substantial portions of Iraq and Syria. As the US and its allies engage in military operations to combat ISIS, the War on Terror continues today.
Numerous significant items have been learned from studies on the 9/11 attacks and the War on Terror that followed. Firstly, it is clear that the threat of terrorism cannot be ignored as a regional issue. Terrorism recognizes no borders, as evidenced by the coordinated nature of the 9/11 attacks, which a worldwide extremist group like al-Qaeda carried out (McNeese 109). This epiphany has compelled nations to acknowledge the necessity of global cooperation.
The second, third, and fourth items are related to the importance of complex solutions to terrorism. Secondly, the War on Terror highlighted the risks of hasty military interventions based on incomplete intelligence. In particular, Iraq’s destabilization serves as a sobering example of the unexpected effects that might result from hasty counterterrorism measures (Butt 35).
Thirdly, the War on Terror has also shown the conditions fueling extremist beliefs. Any counterterrorism plan must address inequality, and ignoring it leads to extremism continuing to cycle in society. Fourthly, the War on Terror has triggered heated discussions regarding human rights and the rule of law. The government must balance the need for national security with respect for human rights.
Fifthly, the 9/11 attacks and the drastic response by the United States have shown the cohesion of societies in the face of tragedy. The outpouring of solidarity and bravery that resulted from the tragedy was a monument to the resilience of the human spirit (McNeese 16). Conversely, the fallout showed how xenophobia can split up communities. To maintain a unified front against terrorism, society needs to counter these dividing influences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the terrible events of 9/11 have changed the US and the world at large, resulting in the destructive War on Terror. Valuable lessons have been learned from studying 9/11 and the War on Terror, specifically the fact that combating terrorism cannot be accomplished solely through military force. These observations can direct future efforts to handle the threat of terrorism while protecting fundamental values and ideals.
Works Cited
Butt, Ahsan I. “Why Did the United States Invade Iraq in 2003?” Security Studies, vol. 28, no. 2, 2019, pp. 250–285. Web.
McNeese, Tim. 9/11: The Attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Infobase Holdings, Inc., 2021.
Strachan, Hew. “Learning Lessons From Afghanistan: Two Imperatives.” Parameters, vol. 49, no. 3, 2019. Web.