Introduction
On a beautiful cool day in September 2001, the planet abruptly stopped turning when information about an attack on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City was received. This day, which was given a separate place in history, showed not only a tragic moment but also represented a new era of global politics, the way people see safety and security. The attacks had a death toll of around 3,000, and the world population was devastated by the wave of sorrow. Additionally, the USA initiated a military campaign in Afghanistan, which became a prolonged and expensive undertaking, with terrorism as the goal of the campaign. The effects of September 11th, 2001, are wide-ranging. The day doesn’t represent only the loss of lives and devastation but also the alteration of freedom, security, and international affairs. Besides, a large part of the research and many discussions is about how the public reacted to such events as well as their aftermath. Consequently, the essay will discuss the diverse effects which is concentrated on the alterations in the U.S. foreign policy, national security strategies, health consequences for survivors, public opinion shifts, and, ultimately, global security and human rights.
Review of Literature
Background and close-Up
The first days after the September 11th attacks were marked by a wave of solidarity from the global community to the United States as people were processing the shock and pain inflicted by this event. The unity and common sorrow during this time, even though their country was known for its stand of homogeneity, was highlighted by Hartig and Doherty. The devastation not only took the lives of innocents but also prompted an explosion of national identity and solidarity. However, the media coverage of the attack and the suffering of innocent people spread worldwide; thus, the collective trauma and comprehension of global terrorism entered people’s minds. Moreover, the viewers’ attention to their news media was remarkably upgraded due to television being a major information carrier about the tragedy.
Transformation of Global Security
Gunaratna has written a research paper on how the 9/11 attacks acted as a catalyst for a major shift in global security paradigms. The brazen and prolific nature of the attacks necessitated a revamping of counter-terrorism approaches, calling forth an unparalleled level of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The founding of the Department of Homeland Security and the strengthening of transnational information sharing are an eloquent expression of the exceptional changes in the approach of nations to the issue of terrorism. The strategic shift also harboured a more proactive posture towards pre-empting terror threats, which was also reflected in foreign policy and civil liberties.
Emotional and Physical Health Effects
Health research in the years post 9/11 has given attention to physical and mental problems faced by survivors and first responders as a result of the attacks. Jordan et al. (3). outline the fact that many of the people exposed to the attacks continue to experience health problems, respiratory and psychological conditions in particular, including PTSD and depression. Experiencing the deadly dust and the long-term consequences of such devastation require ongoing care that includes psychological and medical support for many people.
The trauma of collective of 9/11 also impacted society broadly, not only those who directly experienced it but also the general public, in turn showing increased anxiety and a feeling of vulnerability. The persistent health consequences of the attacks accentuate how medical care should integrate physical and psychological treatments even for the survivors and that disaster preparedness for psychosocial support becomes essential.
Changes in the public’s opinion and perception.
Galston examines the extended implications of public opinion and the perception of Americans on the 9/11 event. The fervent union and patriotism, however, which appeared initially, soon gave way to more complicated interpretations of national security, immigration, and civil liberties. There was a great change in the Islam perception, in particular, due to the new distrust and terrible incidents of Islamophobia. It was sharply increased.
American Security Strategy Evolution
In the wake of 9/11, the U.S. security strategy went through critical changes, with the threat of terrorism and asymmetric threats becoming the main emphasis. Farag (326) outlines the development of this model, pointing out the transition from the classical State-centric threats to the intricate confrontation with global terrorism. The prominence of intelligence, surveillance, and special operations was a form of radical change from the classical doctrines of the military, which indicated the responsiveness of the U.S. defence and security policies to the new reality of global challenges.
Additionally, the war on terror called for a critical examination of the U.S. foreign policy priorities, including alliances with other countries, so as to increase multilateral cooperation to tackle the causes of terrorism. Thus, this time of strategic reorientation raised fundamental questions about the consequences of military interventions and the need for diplomatic, economic, and cultural tools as a means to achieve sustainable security.
Results
Foreign Policy and Security Strategies
The revolutionary transformation of U.S. foreign and security policy following the September 11 2001, terrorist attacks was definitely unprecedented. Sharing the experiences, Gunaratna narrates the role of the U.S. as a leader in the global war on terrorism, which then led to the invasion of Afghanistan, which consequently resulted in the creation of actions to destroy terror networks spread all over the globe. Within this period, military and intelligence services in the United States underwent rebranding, emphasizing counter-terrorism instead of the traditional interstate conflicts. These strategies involved using sophisticated surveillance technologies and deepened international cooperation on intel. Not only that, but the United States provided the greatest impetus to the reform of internal security systems, in particular by establishing the Department of Homeland Security. This restructuring served to heighten the nation’s capacity to detect and respond to terrorism.
Public Opinion
In the aftermath, American public opinion faced a deep transformation. Galston says that the attacks themselves and what followed them capped a wave of patriotism and unity where n over 90% of Americans supported the government’s response to terrorism. Nevertheless, with the prolonging of the military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, domestic approval dwindled gradually, and such disapproval is linked to the high cost and poor effectiveness of our military operations overseas. Besides that, Muslim and Islamic misperceptions witnessed an enviable state where there was a rise of Islamophobia and rejection of the religion. This shift in public opinion served further to shape a more divided political environment with the effect of domestic policies and the societal position of immigration and civil rights. Additionally, the multifaceted legacy of the September 11th on public opinion is also evidenced in people’s shifting views with regard to security, privacy and surveillance. Right after the incidents, there was a mood of complete support for increasing the number of security measures. However, this poses a danger to the privacy and civil rights of people as such technology could be used to violate them. These debates highlighted the dilemma between national security and personal liberties, a reflection of a larger discourse questioning the place of the government and the extent of the acceptable boundaries surrounding security measures in a democratic state.
Health Impacts
The impact on the health of the survivors, responders and those involved in the cleanup and recovery efforts after the attack is tremendous and pervasive. According to Jordan and others, symptoms from physical and psychological exposure to the events can be easily detected; these health issues comprise respiratory problems, and other related physical ailments. Besides the aforementioned health conditions, many survivors require medical treatment and support because it confirms that these people deserve all-around care.
The exposure of WTC to toxic dust and chemicals is related to different health problems, such as chronic respiratory illness and cancer. The effects of these exposures are a stark reminder that workplaces should have health and safety regulations in place during disasters and that long-term health monitoring and studies may well be needed to find out the consequences of these exposures. Furthermore, the aftermath’s psychological effects on the survivors and the wider community call on policymakers to allocate more resources to mental health care and support services. The damage left by the people-crippling emotions and sorrow in the aftermath of September 11th was enormous, and as a result, the need for post-disaster mental health care has been acknowledged.
Discussion
Long-Term Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
The ultimate effect of the terrorist attacks of September 11th on U.S. foreign policy is beyond doubt. In his analysis from the year 2021, Gunaratna argues that the U.S. led the world in the battle against terrorism, which resulted in changing the foreign policy and security strategy of the U.S. This change has not been a smooth road, particularly when there has been heated discussions on the effectiveness as well as ethics of military interventions. This resulted in the success of counter-terrorism, which involved the interruption of terrorist organizations’ activities and the prevention of further attacks. On the other hand, it has also inadvertently caused results such as the destabilization of those regions and the appearance of new terrorist groups.
The renewed positioning of US foreign policy after the September 11th attacks has been a major contributor to IM and diplomacy. The U.S.’s relations with other nations were very much affected by their willingness to come together in the war against terrorism. The alignment of national foreign policies with the global counter-terrorism agenda has had both beneficial and detrimental consequences in terms of global networks and cooperation on an international level.
Additionally, security concerns have been the reason for raising military spending and diverting significant resources to counter-terrorism measures. However, the cost of security and living up to this priority has brought discussions forward about the need to strike a balance when it comes to social services and domestic infrastructures, among other areas. Although the long-run viability of this strategy has been called into question by some, policymakers and researchers still have disagreements about it.
Global Counter-terrorism Efforts
The reaction of the world to terrorism since September 11th 2001, represents a major step forward in the international security architecture. As stated by Gunaratna, these activities also comprise the integration of counterterrorism measures and the fostering of international cooperation. The international community’s devotion to the war against terrorism has been remarkable, resulting in such important victories as the breakup of terrorist groups and security globalization. On the other hand, though, those triumphs have come at the expense of civil society’s freedoms as well as human rights, which are shared in the same way.
Terrorism exposes the thin line that separates preserving public safety and protecting individual freedoms. The development of high levels of monitoring and security systems prevents terrorist attacks. However, the main concern is that this measure might result in a violation of privacy and further intrusion by the government. However, it is this balance that stresses the fragility of the relationships societies have to sustain to ensure both security and democratic values. On the other hand, the global war on terror has also been characterized by the confrontation of the roots of terrorism, which includes political instability, income inequality and religious ideologies that lead to extremism. What usually happens is that militarized solutions easily outweigh comprehensive strategies, such as diplomacy, economy, and culture, which can make extremism become unstable.
Social and Health Outcomes
In the study of Jordan et al. (13 years), the significance of the long-term effect of the September 11 attack is shown. The ongoing health problems of survivors and fire attendants point to the requirement for continued help and total healthcare services. The physical and mental effects leaves us with evidence of the toll that terrorism takes on people and how, in the face of tragedy, resilience and recovery are of utmost importance.
The impact of September 11th on society is not limited to only direct victims but touches the national dialogue on a number of crucial issues, including immigration and national identity. The events and their consequences have given birth to a feeling of helplessness and the question of how to be safe in modern life. In addition, there are evolutions in disaster response and preparedness learnt from the health impacts of September 11th, especially in terms of mental health. The acknowledgement of PTSD and other psychological conditions as vital factors of disaster recovery should be the beginning note of perceiving all needs resulting from trauma events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the September 11th attacks have seared an unforgettable imprint into the brains of the United States citizens and those of the world, and the U.S. foreign policy machine, global counter-terrorism program and social norms all remain profoundly affected. The research by Jordan et al. underscores the complexities of the consequences, from the possible changes in national security strategies to the long-lasting health and social impacts on individuals and communities. America, on the other hand, following the atrocities, redefined the policy towards global security, stressing the importance of international unity against terrorism. This shift has caused both victories and headaches, which have illuminated the complexity of tackling a threat that is both global and changing.
Works Cited
Hartig, Hannah, and Carroll Doherty. “Two decades later, the enduring legacy of 9/11.” (2021).
Jordan, Hannah T., et al. “Persistent mental and physical health impact of exposure to the September 11th, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks.” Environmental health 18 (2019): 1-16.
Galston, William A. “Twenty years later, how Americans assess the effects of the 9/11 attacks.” (2021).
Farag, Wael Zakaria. “American security strategy towards terrorism after September 11th attacks.” Review of Economics and Political Science 5.4 (2020): 323-333.
Gunaratna, Rohan. “The 9/11 effect and the transformation of global security.” Council of Councils, September 1st (2021).
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