September 11 attacks

Definition

The September 11 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001, targeting key sites in the United States, including the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. These attacks not only resulted in significant loss of life but also had profound impacts on global politics, media coverage, and the security landscape.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nearly 3,000 people were killed during the September 11 attacks, making it one of the deadliest terrorist acts in world history.
2. The attacks involved four commercial airliners, with two flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and another that crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers intervened.
3. The aftermath of the September 11 attacks led to a significant increase in media coverage of terrorism and national security issues, transforming how news was reported and consumed.
4. In response to the attacks, the U.S. government passed the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers.
5. The attacks triggered a reevaluation of global security policies and led to military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of a broader strategy to combat terrorism.

Review Questions

• How did the September 11 attacks influence changes in media coverage related to terrorism?
  • The September 11 attacks dramatically shifted media coverage towards a heightened focus on terrorism and national security. News outlets began to prioritize stories that explored the motivations behind terrorism, profiles of terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, and analyses of government responses. This shift resulted in increased public awareness about global security issues and a new genre of news reporting that emphasized crisis coverage and national preparedness.
• Discuss the impact of the September 11 attacks on U.S. foreign policy and international relations.
  • Following the September 11 attacks, U.S. foreign policy underwent a significant transformation centered around counterterrorism efforts. The U.S. launched military operations in Afghanistan aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power. This aggressive approach altered international relations, as countries were pressured to align with U.S. strategies against terrorism or face diplomatic repercussions. The global landscape became increasingly polarized between nations cooperating with U.S. initiatives and those perceived as harboring or supporting terrorist activities.
• Evaluate how the creation of the Department of Homeland Security has reshaped security protocols within the United States since the September 11 attacks.
  • The establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marked a pivotal shift in U.S. security protocols post-September 11. The DHS consolidated multiple federal agencies under one umbrella to improve coordination in addressing threats to national security. This led to enhanced airport security measures, widespread surveillance practices, and increased funding for emergency preparedness at local levels. As a result, security policies became more robust, though they also raised concerns about civil liberties and privacy rights among citizens.

Related terms

Al-Qaeda: A militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Laden, known for its global jihadist agenda and responsibility for multiple terrorist attacks, including the September 11 attacks.

War on Terror: An international military campaign initiated by the United States in response to the September 11 attacks, aimed at dismantling terrorist groups and preventing future acts of terrorism.

Homeland Security: A U.S. government department established in response to the September 11 attacks to coordinate national efforts in protecting against and responding to terrorism.