9/11’s Impact on United States Foreign Policy
9/11 was a massive wake up call to the United States. It proved that we were not invulnerable like we thought we were. Peoples reactions were comparable to Pearl Harbor or the launch of Sputnik, a feeling of uncertainty and fear spread. People needed to point their aggression and anger at someone. Once Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda took responsibility, we had our target. After we knew who was to blame we took immediate and swift action.
Before 9/11 there was much less focus on national security in relations to terror. Immediately after the attack that mindset drastically changed. “We will direct every resource at our command — every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war — to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network” (George Bush). Less than a month after the attack the United States invaded Afghanistan in part of George Bush’s “War on Terror”. Before the United States was able to invade Afghanistan they first had to get support from Pakistan. This relationship was very shaky, as United States intelligence suggested Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf had ties to al-Qaeda.
The United States focused much of their effort on preventative measures, to ensure this didn’t happen again. Guantanamo bay was created, which houses people suspected of being terrorists. This attitude of taking preventative measures can be clearly seen when the United States invaded Iraq in 2003 because they suspected Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
Humanitarian efforts also changed after 9/11. Before 9/11 United States humanitarian aid was given by non-militarized forces. However, after 9/11 the military began to give out foreign aid. This caused Mideastern backlash because the military could use the aid as a bargaining chip to get what they want.
Youtube Video: http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vzRMaHCysU (President George W. Bush addresses a Joint Congress about the War on Terror: 5:12)
References:
Green, M. (2017, September 8). How 9/11 Changed America: Four Lasting Impacts. Retrieved from KQED: https://www.kqed.org/lowdown/14066/13-years-later-four-major-lasting-impacts-of-911
Jones, S. (2019, July 25). How US Foreign Policy Changed After 9/11. Retrieved from ThoughtCo.: https://www.thoughtco.com/us-foreign-policy-after-9-11-3310293
Verter, Y. (2017, November 9). How 9/11 Changed US Policy Toward Israel. Retrieved from Haaretz: https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/how-9-11-changed-u-s-policy-toward-israel-1.5168556
Very interesting! I did not know foreign aid was under government control during the war. I can see how the mistrust between nations influenced Changez’s internal battle with fundamentalism. He had a hard time choosing between a Pakistani or American way of life.
Thank for the good info.
Thanks for sharing this great post. Since I’m an international student and I was born in 2001, I did not know much about 911 before I came to the United States. Before I only know it was a terrorism and killed many people in New York City. With your post, I learned more about it and what did the United States government react in the later years.
Thank you for sharing! I was born in Manhattan and grew up in a suburb of New York City, so I know many people in my area that have lost loved ones or been affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, so the attacks have always been a very personal and profound event in my life. I appreciate the context that you provided regarding how the United States suggested that the Pakistani president had ties to al-Qaeda, I did not know that prior to reading. Great job!
Thanks for your sharing! I have heard about this terrorist attack since I was a child, but since I did not live in the United States, I have not a complete concept of this whole thing. 911 has indeed made the United States much more sensitive to the prevention of terrorist attacks. And I truly know more about 911 after come to America and after reading your post.
Thank you for some more background and actions following 9/11. The video you provided was a great watch. I did not know that about humanitarian efforts. I also did not know Guantanamo Bay was created afterwards.
This is an interesting post. 9/11 certainly caused a huge shift in the foreign policy of the United States, especially with the controversial war on terror. It’s really interesting to look back on it almost 20 years later.
Thanks for this post. American domestic and foreign policies of security changed a lot after 9/11. This has cause many countries to build defensive technologies and agencies to combat terrorism. I like that you talked about the terrorist jail as well.
Thanks for the presentation. 9/11 is definitely one of the most serious terror attacks in the world. 9/11 did not only have an impact on the United States Foreign Policy but also on security policy. After 9/11, security checks in U.S. airports become stricter. Additionally, it also made the world be aware of the terrorist organization.
Thank you for sharing this post! 9/11 is a dramatic event that has happened in our lifetimes, as well as the most serious terror attack in the United States. Lots of changes had to be made after this had happened. It made the terrorist group very well known, and that something needed to be done to put a stop to this. Airports have changed tremendously since this event.
Wow, that was really good in my opinion. There was a lot of information in there that I didn’t know, so thank you. I was born after 9/11 so the background information was really helpful to me
Hi, nice post! Ever since 9/11 there has been a lot of change in security in the United States which is great. There has also been some negatives to it, ever since middle eastren people have been seen as terrorists when they are innocent. It sucks that one event has made such an impact and discrimination against a certain group.
I like your post very much. As an international student, I am not very familiar with 9/11. Before I came to the United States, I didn’t have a definite understanding of the whole thing. Just thought it was a terrorist attack. After reading your post, I know more about this matter. About the connection between the United States and Pakistan.
Great Post! Everything changed in America after 9/11 but I think as we keep getting educated, our country will get better.