Why Was America Taken by Surprise on 11 September 2001 - Essay Example

? Why was America taken by surprise on September 11th, 2001? YourLast History and Political Science When theSoviet Union collapsed, the Cold War came to an end making America a super power. Since then, America has been known to exercise uni-polar world order playing monopoly in international politics, economics and security. The country itself is guarded by strong defenses. With a land army of total weapons of 56,269, air power of 18, 234 aircrafts and naval power of 2,834 ships1 she has become a symbol of military might. Furthermore, with a resilient intelligence network comprising of CIA, the country is apparently able to keep threats away. The story of 9/11 developed very interestingly. On the morning of September 11, 2001 four commercial planes were hijacked by terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda, an Islamic extremist group. The number of terrorists was expected to be around 19 that carried suicide attacks in three different places. The first two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, the third destructed a part of the Pentagon while the fourth crashed in a field of Pennsylvania. This was a massive and atrocious attack on the land of America causing immense collateral damage.2 Who would have expected the day when America crippled into the depths of shock and horror with strong defensive shields mentioned above. A major chunk of the American economy flourishing in the WTC was deflated. The Pentagon that is the central decision making body of the country was so vulnerable and the trans-border security on the airports was so weak that no one could keep a check on any unusual activities. All of these loopholes resulted in the death of more than 3000 civilians3 on 9/11. When the episode of 9/11 is dug deep, one comes across a lot of questions. For instance, why did a non-state actor attack America? How did it get the capability to penetrate inside the country? Was there an insider involved? Does it prove the failure of President George W. Bush’s administration or was it another excuse to wage war like the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941? All of these questions have affected the lives of Americans itself. Right after the country was attacked, President George W. Bush declared war on terror and put forward a proposal of “either you are with us or them (terrorists)” before the world making states choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. President Bush invested heavily to wage the war against Osama Bin Laden, the culprit responsible for planning and executing the attacks. He started off with bombarding Afghanistan in 2001 which hasn’t stopped yet even after a decade. The attacks had huge impact on the lives of each and every American. If one goes back in time, he will realize that the impact was equally large six decades ago when the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor toppling U.S Navy on the Hawaiian coast. Like 9/11, the attack on Pearl Harbor came as a surprise and both the attacks took approximately 3000 lives. On the second day of the attack President Roosevelt declared war on Japan starting World War II4. It was the first time ever in the history of mankind that a nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Similarly, President Bush announced to hunt down every terrorist in the world right after the WTC crippled. Hence, the defense budget started increasing at the cost of human lives. The most striking and ironic fact about these two attacks was that both the Presidents knew about them in advance. They knew that their country was under threat and could be attacked at any moment. It was in a newspaper on 30th November 1941 that warned of Japanese strike on the American homeland when the naval fleet came under attack on 7th December 1941. The President was questioned regarding knowledge of the attack beforehand. It was later investigated and revealed that it was the President himself and some members of his administration that delayed the conveyance of the warning messages given by the United Kingdom to Hawaii. 5 President Bush was also caught on live television when he claimed that he saw the first plane crashing into the tower on September 11th on television when the official video was aired the next day on September 12th.6 If both the leaders knew about the intentions of the attackers then why didn’t they stop the most atrocious disasters fallen upon mankind? This question is on every other American mind. Another surprising factor that took many Americans off guard on 9/11 was that it wasn’t a state that attacked them like on 7th December 1941, but rather it was a non-state actor. That means that the non-state actors planned and prepared the attack in advance and there is evidence that although President Bush was informed and asked to tighten security at the airports, no measures were taken and hence it was supposed that four airplanes flew from American airports. It was however believed at a later stage that the planes that hit the twin towers were drones.7 Digging these entire clues make one thing evident that President Bush inflicted the disaster upon the country himself. There are both negative and positive impacts of the 9/11 episode on American lives. These changes were something Americans were not ready for. Life before 9/11 was normal and secure. After the attacks the country has police checkpoints everywhere. There is a sense of insecurity and every individual is watched all the time. All possible suspicious activities are monitored and interrogated. At airports, every passenger is checked thoroughly out of the fear that he might turn out to be a “potential” terrorist.8 These strict security measures were required at the time of warning of the attacks. Furthermore, the number of abduction also increased. Many innocent lives were kidnapped and tortured only because their skin, beard, turban or lifestyle reflected suspicion. Micheal Ratner, the President of the Center for Constitutional Rights regarded the attacks as “heinous” crime rather an act of war. He further writes that “The United States is a changed country. Most don't seem to care. Until they do, the loss of liberty in the wake of 9/11 will remain the legacy we have left our children. None of us are safer. All of us are less free.”9 A writer shares that there was a time when people were free to travel till Canada without needing a passport. Now the presence of passport is must and trans-border security is on patrol all the time. Even opening up a bank account is not as simple as it used to be. A lot of questions are asked regarding residence of an individual. Telephones and e-mails are monitored all the time breaching individual’s privacy. Hence, the word “terrorism” is forbidden in the country.(Scaliger 2010). A country that promotes the message of freedom for centuries is now restricting the existence of its own people. Now that’s a contradiction. The same writer shares his story further when he was stopped and asked questions at a railroad crossing. He was only looking at flowers in his proximity when a security guard demanded what he was upto. He was spotted by satellite and reported as an unusual activity. This shows that American citizens are under constant surveillance. (Scaliger 2010). Americans have always had a strong belief of being indestructible and supreme. The citizens are taught from a very young age that their country is a super power. When the attacks of 9/11 took place, the status of super power was shaken and for the first time in a very long time America was vulnerable and insecure. This was another reason that America was taken by surprise. With all the controversies came a change that affected the lives of Americans in a positive way. On 9/11 many Americans died and some survived together. For instance the story of Stanley Praimnath and Brain Clark, the two survivors of WTC tells that their escape resulted in an everlasting bond between them10. These two individuals, who although working in the same building had never met, are friends sharing the experience of rescuing each other at that horrific moment when their lives were hanging by a thread. Another story of a firefighter who got trapped in the rubble of the towers was trying to save lives when the towers were on their way to sitting flat. But miraculously he was saved11. Similarly, Lt. Col. Marilyn Wills and Ret Sgt. Maj. Tony Rose were awarded with purple hearts for their heroism on 9/11. These and many other instances reflect that 9/11 brought Americans closer. The sense and feeling of patriotism and unity grew stronger. On that day which was no less than doom’s day every citizen was trying to offer whatever they could without caring about their own lives. This act of selflessness was something that surprised many nationally and internationally. Another argument regarding 9/11 is that this episode didn’t change anything in the lives of Americans. It is believed that Americans have always faced drastic challenges and been under threats from the days of “Civil War to the Great Depression to World War II.” 12There is a sense of courage, honor and pride in the minds of the citizens that keep their moral high. They view 9/11 as just another challenge in their lives. This attitude reflects positivity and raises hope that Americans can survive in unity no matter how the circumstances are. No matter how volatile the political or economical conditions are, the nation would still survive. References 1. Staff Writer, United States of America Military Strength. 7th January 2011. Accessed on 6th March 2012 from http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=United-States-of-America 2. 9/11 Attacks. History.com. Accessed on March 6th, 2012 from http://www.history.com/topics/911-attacks 3. RevolutionNewz, “The USA has a history of allowing enemies to attack: Pearl Harbor”. May 7th 2010. Accessed on March 6th, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueH3B-vFxkA 4. EdgarMetro, “George Bush caught lying about 9/11”. July 28th, 2011. Accessed on March 6th, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFPOstgw3rk&feature=related 5. Scaliger Charles, September 11th 2010. “ 9/11 Terror Attacks & their Effects on America”. Accessed on March 6th, 2012 from http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/crime/4572-911-terror-attacks-a-their-effect-on-america 6. Ratner Michael, September 6th, 2011. “What impact did 9/11 have on America?”. Accessed on March 6th 2012 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/sep/06/impact-9-11-america 7. “Escaping the South Tower”. 9/11 Attacks Videos. History.com. Accessed on March 6th, 2012 from http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks/videos#escaping-the-south-tower 8. “Rescue and Survival”. 9/11 Attacks Video. History.com. Accessed on March 6th, 2012 from http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks/videos#911-rescue-and-survival 9. Utley Garrick, September 6th, 2002. “Did 9/11 change everything?” CNN.com/U.S. Accessed on March 6th, 2012 from http://edition.cnn.com/2002/US/09/06/ar911.changed.america/ Read More