SYNOPSIS

The September 11, 2001, attacks highlighted significant US vulnerabilities and led to major counterterrorism reforms. Post-9/11, the US government implemented institutional changes, enhanced international cooperation, and expanded its use of technology and drone warfare. However, public fatigue from prolonged wars and shifting US focus towards geopolitical rivalries and domestic issues has reduced the centrality of counterterrorism in US policy over the last two decades.

COMMENTARY

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, remain one of the most devastating strategic surprises in modern history. Despite being the world’s preeminent superpower with an extensive intelligence apparatus, the United States failed to anticipate and prevent the hijacking and subsequent crashing of four commercial airliners, killing almost 3,000 people.

Missed Signals: US Vulnerability to Al-Qaeda

The 1993 World Trade Center bombing signalled US vulnerability to terrorism, but it was largely dismissed as an isolated incident. Subsequent attacks, including the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, and the 2000 USS Cole bombing off the coast of Yemen, highlighted al-Qaeda’s growing threat.

However, US intelligence agencies failed to recognise the escalating danger due to the foreign locations of the attacks and a perception that the threat was not imminent. Despite warnings from Osama bin Laden himself, including fatwas and declarations of war, American complacency and a belief in invulnerability persisted.

The openness of US society, particularly its ease of travel and communication, made it susceptible to exploitation by terrorists. Political transitions and preoccupations in the US, including the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and the Bush administration’s Cold War focus, further diverted attention from terrorism.

Richard Clarke’s warnings about al-Qaeda were ignored, and the Bush administration’s Cold War mindset prevented a pre-emptive response. Additionally, a fragmented US intelligence community, marked by poor communication and competition between agencies, hindered effective threat assessment and response, ultimately contributing to the failure to prevent 9/11.

Rebuilding Security: Institutional Reforms and Technological Advances

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks profoundly reshaped US national security, with long-lasting effects on domestic and international counterterrorism efforts. The attacks exposed vulnerabilities in intelligence coordination, aviation security, and disaster response, prompting a series of lessons learned and policy changes designed to prevent a recurrence of such an attack.

Over the past two decades, US policymakers have adjusted their strategies to become more agile and proactive in addressing evolving terrorist threats. These changes have ranged from institutional reforms to enhanced international cooperation and advanced technological applications in counterterrorism.

One of the most glaring lessons from 9/11 was the failure of intelligence agencies to share critical information. The 9/11 Commission Report identified a lack of communication between the CIA, FBI, and other intelligence bodies, allowing critical signals about the attack to go unnoticed.

This led to an overhaul of the intelligence community’s structure, including the establishment of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in 2004 to centralise intelligence gathering and improve interagency coordination. This reform aimed to ensure that intelligence agencies could quickly share information, analyse threats collaboratively, and act more decisively.

The 9/11 hijackers exploited significant weaknesses in aviation security. The US government created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in response. It implemented sweeping changes in airport and airline security measures, such as fortified cockpit doors, more rigorous passenger screening, and no-fly lists.

Additionally, the federalisation of airport security officers through the TSA helped standardise and elevate security protocols, mitigating the risk of another hijacking.

From Ground Wars to Drone Strikes: US Counterterrorism’s Changing Face

The attacks underscored the need for a more comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that went beyond military interventions. The US expanded its counterterrorism strategy to include diplomacy, intelligence-sharing, financial regulation, and border security. For instance, the USA PATRIOT Act was enacted to give law enforcement agencies greater surveillance and investigative powers.

While controversial for its impact on civil liberties, the act allowed for the disruption of terrorist financing, the tracking of foreign agents, and pre-emptive arrests of suspected terrorists. This broadened approach reflects a recognition that terrorist networks are transnational and multifaceted, requiring diverse tools to counter them effectively.

One of the most significant changes was the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2003, which consolidated 22 federal agencies to improve coordination in securing US borders, infrastructure, and the population from terrorist threats.

DHS’ mandate includes counterterrorism, cybersecurity, disaster response, and immigration enforcement, reflecting the recognition that terrorism and homeland security threats can take many forms, including cyberattacks and natural disasters.

DHS has made the US more agile in responding to emerging threats through specialised agencies like US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The US adopted a more proactive stance on counterterrorism, with policies aimed at disrupting terrorist plots before they reach American soil. This included a significant focus on foreign interventions, exemplified by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the US sought to dismantle terrorist organisations like Al Qaeda and prevent state-sponsored terrorism.

In addition to military interventions, the US emphasised building alliances with global partners through intelligence-sharing agreements, joint counterterrorism operations, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the counterterrorism abilities of other nations.

The US has also expanded the use of technology in counterterrorism, utilising advanced algorithms and big data analytics to identify potential threats, track suspicious financial transactions, and monitor extremist online activities.

The shift towards drone warfare and targeted operations represents a major policy change in the post-9/11 era. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target terrorist leaders in remote areas such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia has become a hallmark of US counterterrorism strategy.

Drone strikes have allowed the US to target high-value terrorists with precision, reducing the need for large-scale troop deployments. However, the policy has also generated debate over its ethical implications and potential to inflame anti-American sentiments in regions where such strikes occur.

From Terrorism to Geopolitics: The Shift in US Global Priorities

Despite the intense focus on terrorism in the immediate post-9/11 years, other global challenges began to take precedence as the threat of large-scale terrorist attacks seemed to recede. The rise of China and Russia as geopolitical rivals and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted attention away from terrorism. US policymakers have increasingly prioritised great-power competition, economic recovery, and public health crises over sustained counterterrorism efforts.

This shift in focus is evident in the reduction of US military engagements in the Middle East. The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021 marked the end of a 20-year counterterrorism mission that had defined US foreign policy. While the US continues to conduct counterterrorism operations, the emphasis has shifted away from large-scale military interventions to more limited, targeted operations. This change in focus reflects a broader reallocation of resources and attention, with counterterrorism no longer occupying the central place it once did in US policy.

War Fatigue and the Politicisation of Terrorism in US Policy

In addition to the changing geopolitical landscape, public and political fatigue has contributed to a diminished focus on terrorism. After years of military engagements, the American public grew weary of prolonged wars, especially as the promises of quick victories over terrorist groups like the Taliban and Al Qaeda failed to materialise. This fatigue was compounded by the perception that the US had spent billions of dollars and lost thousands of lives with little tangible benefit.

Partisan infighting has also led to the politicisation of terrorism, with both the Democratic and Republican parties using the threat of terrorism as a tool to advance their agendas. During election cycles, politicians have often exaggerated the threat of terrorism to rally support for their policies. For example, the issue of terrorism became a central theme in the 2016 US presidential election, with candidates debating the merits of counterterrorism strategies and the perceived failures of previous administrations. The politicisation of terrorism has created an environment in which counterterrorism policies are driven more by electoral considerations than by national security needs.

About the Author

Dr Kristian Alexander is a Senior Fellow and Lead Researcher at Rabdan Security & Defense Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE.