The Disaster
On September 11, 2001 a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks were enacted upon four major areas in the United States: the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the White House or U.S Capitol. These attacks resulted in over 2,000 deaths and 6,000 injuries, easily naming 9/11 the worst event of the first decade of the 2000's.
Here's Why:
- The disaster was on purpose and not an accident, specifically by a terrorist group. This made it the worst foreign attack on U.S lands.
- The attack specifically targeted innocent civilians, over 3000 dead.
- The attack triggered a new and uncertain kind of U.S foreign policy, forever changing the country and its treatment of other nations.
- The disaster led to the start of "War on Terror", which not only included a few nations but the whole world.
Al-Qaeda
Two weeks after the 9/11 event, the Federal Bureau of Investigation connected the aircraft hijackers back to the terrorist group al-Qaeda. The FBI were able to identify the hijackers within days thanks to the hijackers' carelessness when hiding their identity and background. Later, both the NSA and German Intelligence intercepted communications that pointed toward Mohammed Atrf, a bin Laden deputy.
The disaster was deliberately focused on the major places in the U.S. This attack poses a new question, "When will the next attack come?" This ongoing fear is no way to live. It has forever scarred the years to come, knowing that there is a group out there whose intention is to inflict harm and pain on the United States.
Next, the attack also focused innocent citizens. Accounting for almost 6000 injured and over 3000 dead, many families were left grieving for their lost ones' unfortunate fate. These numbers also include the many firefighters and policemen who died as heroes trying to save the people inside the buildings.
The horrific disaster also resulted in the U.S's new foreign policy. The fear surrounding terrorists led America to become more careful and stricter. That being said, there was also less trust as well. This unfortunately created an unfair stigma and issues between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Finally, the 9/11 event triggered President George W. Bush to declare the first "War on Terror." This term refers to the Bush's call to mobilize global military and political organizations in a struggle against terrorist organizations responsible and the organizations supporting them. This unfortunately led to more blood spilt by U.S men and women, but on foreign ground.
Overall
The 9/11 disaster is easily the worst event to have happened in the first decade of the 2000's due to the many horrific tragedies it inflicted on the U.S, forever changing the nation and its people.