World Trade Center attack of September 11, 2001
The al-Qaida terrorists attack on the World Trade Center had a wide ranging impact on the political, economic, environmental and social impact across the globe, in addition to the toll on human life. The shock was more felt in the United States, and across the globe, the impact rumbled as massive mobilization of the military and hasty condemnation of the attack rose. Diplomatic coalitions were form against terrorism. The attack also dealt a big blow to the world economy which saw some companies collapse, airline go out of business and job losses.
The new technology that allowed high speed communication allowed many people in the world to follow the terrible events as they were unfolding. The attack showed clearly that no country can withdraw from the world, not even a powerful country like the United States. The devastation in New York was seen by many US allies as an attack on capitalism and democracy and governments such as British offered military support for military campaign against the terrorist in Afghanistan. The political outcome involved active military actions as the United States joined hands with other allays and viciously attacked the various terrorist groups including al-Qaida and (Taliban, Brian, Godges, & Dobbins,42). There was ushering in of new generation of policies such as USA Patriot Act, whose priorities was placed on national defense and security even at the expense of civil liberties (Kashan, 87). Such changes had ripple effects in the world, especially in Middle East where military operations led to increased rebellions and perpetual warfare in the region. The involvement of the US military in Afghanistan became a long-running war with more troops being left behind even after the combat operations ended. In addition, countries across the groups became wearier of terrorist attacks and separate stiff security measures were put in place in an attempt to avert or prevent terrorist activities. In addition, the attacks led to a lot of anti-Islam sentiments in the world with countries such as Israel feeling vindicated for its long-running opposition to the neighboring governments and Islamic organizations (Taliban, et.al 85). The event sent shock waves to the world economy leaving behind an era of synchronized global recession. A chilling and swift impact was witnessed on the economic activity and for some days New York Stock Exchange ceased operating, international airlines flights to the United States were cancelled (Chernick,4).
The aftermath of the event saw the Bush Administration, which had tended to favor isolationist view, declared war on the terrorist and terrorism activities with the principle purpose of bring the perpetrators in form of al-Qaida’s Osama bin Laden to book and avert the emergency and growth of terrorist groups and attacks (Kashan, 87). President George W. Bush delivered a televised speech from Oval Office and declared that a distinction would not be made between the terrorist responsible for the atrocities and those who gave them safe refuge (The Guardian, 1). In addition the administration in 2002 formed the Department of Homeland Security an office of cabinet-level, though the merging of 22 agencies if the government. The U.S Customs Services and the Immigration and Naturalization Services were merged in the newly created U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This was massive deportation overseen by the agency after the 9/11 events. The administration also invoked the attack as the reason behind the initiation of secret operation by the National Security Agency with an aim of eavesdropping on communication done using telephone and e-mails by the United States with people in foreign lands with no warrant (Kashan, 88). These efforts were aimed at identifying terror suspects and were mostly targeting individuals from the Asian Muslim countries such as Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. The administration had resolved to such for evidence of any association of residents in the United States and the terrorist factions in the rest of the world so as to apprehend them before they could carry out such atrocities. The members of the al-Qaida were the main target of the high security programs implemented the administration. On the other hand, the president paid a visit to the Islamic Center of Washington and requested the Americans to view Muslims in the country as just American patriots. The reason was that al-Qaida was not fighting for Islam, given the other countries where terrorist had carried out such attacks across the globe. A Guantanamo Bay detention camp was opened in Cuba by the administration where suspected terrorist were sent (Taliban, et.al 82).
The war on terrorism involved military action, increased security measures and international cooperation on similar minded states. The military action consisted of sending troops to flash out and disintegrate terror groups such as the al-Qaida and the overthrowing of the Taliban led Afghanistan government. To accomplish these, the Bush Administration had to seek support from the American which was granted hence set up the beginning of a long-running counter-terrorism campaign in the Asian Middle East region (Taliban, et.al 82). The war on terror also involved increased security measures implemented at the airport which involved frisking and thorough identity recognition. These efforts were made possible by the implementation of various policies or laws such as the USA Patriotic Act and the Homeland Security Act passed by Congress in 2002. Special regulations were also adopted such as the requirement to register with Immigration and Naturalization Service with an aim of identifying the foreigners in the country. The war also involved new security procedures and the management of screening checkpoints at all commercial airports in the country (Johnson &Trujillo, 15).
Domestically, the terrorist attacks impact was more pronounced than globally. The attack the implementation of new policies and laws with the purpose of prioritizing national security and sometimes at eh expense of civil rights. The attack had major economic effects as all the commercial airplanes remained grounded for two days, together with the New York Stock Exchange (Chernick, 3). The changes on the security and national defense were more intense. The budgets for the agencies related to the defense were massively increased in 2002 enhance on their performances. The security measures involved the overhaul of registration of immigrants especially those who had been imprisoned. There was also improvement of U.S intelligence efforts, which saw significant increase in oversight by the government through web and phone surveillance (Johnson &Trujillo,17). Social impact was more pronounced in New York City, the center of these happenings. These involved trauma or collective trauma which was evident in the way the community responded to this event. The toll on people lives and scene of individuals such as firefighters and military dying had horrific psychological impacts.
Works cited
Chernick, Howard. Resilient City: The Economic Impact of 9/11. , 2005. Internet resource.2-4
Johnson, Kelvin, Trujillo, Bernard. Immigration Reform, National Security after September 11, and the Future of North American Integration. 2007.14-19 Available at: http://www.minnesotalawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/JohnsonTrujillo_Final.pdf
Kashan, Sonya (2010).The USA Patriot Act: Impact on Freedoms and Civil Liberties.vol.7. 85-88.Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1123&context=essai
The Guardian, (2011).What impact did 9/11 have on the world? Available: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/05/9-11-impact-world-al-qaida
Jenkins, Brian M, John Godges, and James Dobbins. The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism. Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2011.6-85
