The Two Decades since 9/11 Changed the Country for the Worse

By Brigitte L. Nacos

The attacks of September 11, 2001, by far the worse deadly strikes on the American mainland from the outside, are rightly remembered on the 20^th anniversary as a dark day in the history of the United States. But 9/11 was also a heroic day as far as first responders were concerned many of whom lost their lives as they tried to rescue fellow-Americans from the falling Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

9/11 was also a day, when true patriotism overcame the shock of what seemed an unimaginable act of evil masterminded by Al Qaeda’s Osama bin Laden and his henchmen. Yes, true patriotism. About nine months after the U.S. Supreme Court decided the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in favor of George W. Bush, a very controversial decision, partisan and ideological differences made room for unity. When members of Congress appeared jointly in front of the Capitol, there was no division. The message was clear: Leaders in Washington and elsewhere—and we, the people, were not Democrats or Republicans now, they and we were first of all Americans.

As time went by, for sure, rumors and conspiracy theories circulated. The so-called Truthers sought and claimed to have found proof for a CIA/government plot that destroyed the WTC and part of the Pentagon. But while Trutherism found many believers in the post 9/11 era, these conspiracy theorists did not violently invade the U.S. Congress and threaten Democratic governors and state legislators.

Instead, in our own communities, common sense for the good of the whole prevailed. Most of the time. Especially, when problems and issues concerned our children and grandchildren. In school board meetings, parents disagreed. But they did not threaten and physically attack each other or the teachers of their children. 

Today, twenty years after 9/11, the “Stop-the-Steal” and QAnon conspiracy theories continue to fuel political and social polarization. While Al Gore gave a gracious concession speech and pledged his full support to George W. Bush, the former president and his supporters continue to spread the Big Lie that Donald Trump won the 2020 election. The Big Lie motivated lawless right-wingers to attack the very foundations of our democracy.

On September 11, 2001, 3,000 innocent Americans lost their lives. Reason enough to commemorate the victims and the courageous first responders.

Twenty years later, the Covid-19 pandemic has taken so far 660,000 lives in the United States—220 times more deaths than on 9/11. Of late, close to 1,500 Covid-19 infected persons die in this country every day. One 9/11 in two days!

And yet, given the political and social polarization, there is no nation-wide pulling together as Americans first.  

On 9/11, America was attacked by foreign terrorists.

Today, America is threatened by home-grown terrorists. By White Supremacists/Neo-Nazi groups and radicalized individuals who talk about a coming civil war. They feel emboldened by one ex-president and one political party that continue to downplay the breach of the Capitol on January Sixth.

Yes, the two decades after 9/11 did change the country—change it for the worse.

Comments

[Brigitte Nacos]

I am not as concerned as others that the withdrawal of NATO troops will result in the increase of ISIS and al-Qaeda fighters and potentially more terrorism against the U.S. and other Westerners. There are plenty of other failed states, especially in Africa, that have substantial numbers of "soldiers" belonging to those two and like-minded groups.
As for the human rights of Afghans, I fear especially for women who do not want to live according to the Taliban's implementation of Sharia law. But male resisters, too, are in danger to be jailed and killed.
The international community, and especially the US, should not cooperate with the Taliban unless there is something in return. The US holds substantial sums that the Afghan Federal Reserve needs bitterly. I would not give them a penny without having, for example, all Americans who want to get out of Afghanistan plus Afghans with visas to get here.
Ah, there is so much more here that needs to be dealt with better than by both Trump and Biden.

[Eric]

Professor Nacos,

I agree President Trump's deal was basically harmful. But didn't it include conditions for the Taliban that the Taliban never met ... Yet President Biden chose to pull out willy nilly anyway?

What repercussions do you anticipate from Biden's choice, including but not limited for human rights policy?

[Brigitte Nacos]

Eric,
I would have preferred leaving a core of U.S. military there to help Afghan military to fight the Taliban.
Also, while the Trump administration negotiated the complete withdrawal with the Taliban, the Biden administration should have prepared better for the evacuation of Afghans who for years worked for Americans in Afghanistan.
Much reason to criticize both administrations.

[Eric]

Professor Nacos,

What's your reaction to President Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal?