Posted: February 23rd, 2022

US Foreign Policy after 9/11: A Critical Assessment

US Foreign Policy after 9/11: A Critical Assessment

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, shocked the world and changed the course of U.S. foreign policy. In this blog post, I will critically assess the main features and consequences of the U.S. response to 9/11, focusing on three aspects: the war on terror, the transformation of the Middle East, and the rise of new challenges.

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The War on Terror

The immediate reaction of the Bush administration to 9/11 was to launch a global campaign against al-Qaeda and its affiliates, which it dubbed the "war on terror". This campaign involved military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, covert operations in dozens of countries, enhanced intelligence cooperation, and controversial measures such as extraordinary rendition, detention without trial, and enhanced interrogation techniques. The war on terror also led to a reorientation of U.S. alliances and partnerships, with a new emphasis on counterterrorism cooperation and a reduced attention to human rights and democracy promotion.

The war on terror achieved some important successes, such as the disruption of al-Qaeda's core network, the elimination of Osama bin Laden and other key leaders, and the prevention of another major attack on U.S. soil. However, it also had significant costs and limitations, such as:

- The loss of thousands of American lives and hundreds of billions of dollars in military spending;
- The erosion of U.S. credibility and legitimacy due to the invasion of Iraq based on faulty intelligence, the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, and the violation of international law and norms;
- The alienation of many allies and partners, especially in Europe and the Muslim world, who disagreed with the U.S. unilateralism, militarism, and exceptionalism;
- The creation of new enemies and grievances, as the U.S. military presence and actions in Afghanistan and Iraq fueled resentment, radicalization, and recruitment for extremist groups;
- The diversion of resources and attention from other pressing issues, such as nuclear proliferation, climate change, and global health.

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The Transformation of the Middle East

The second major consequence of 9/11 was the transformation of the Middle East, which was both a result and a cause of U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq aimed to overthrow authoritarian regimes that were seen as threats or obstacles to U.S. interests and values, and to create stable democracies that would serve as models for the region. However, these interventions unleashed sectarian violence, civil wars, power vacuums, and humanitarian crises that destabilized not only those countries but also their neighbors. The U.S. also faced resistance from local actors who opposed its presence and influence, such as the Taliban in Afghanistan, the insurgency in Iraq, Iran's proxies in Lebanon and Syria, and al-Qaeda's affiliates in Yemen and Somalia.

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The Middle East also witnessed profound changes that were largely independent of U.S. foreign policy, such as:

- The Arab Spring uprisings of 2011-2014: 2024 - Essay Writing Service. Custom Essay Services Cheap, which challenged authoritarian regimes across the region but also led to violent crackdowns, civil wars, or counterrevolutions in countries like Syria, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, and Egypt;
- The rise of new actors and dynamics that challenged the existing order, such as the Islamic State (ISIS), which emerged from the chaos in Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate in 2014: 2024 - Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay For Me Without Delay; Turkey's assertive foreign policy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; Qatar's support for Islamist movements; Saudi Arabia's intervention in Yemen; Israel's normalization with some Arab states; and Iran's nuclear program;
- The decline of U.S. influence and engagement in the region under President Barack Obama and Donald Trump, who sought to reduce U.S. military involvement, rebalance toward Asia-Pacific,
and pursue diplomacy with Iran.

The Rise of New Challenges

The third major consequence of 9/11 was the rise of new challenges that required a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities and strategies. While terrorism remained a serious threat,
it was no longer seen as an existential one that justified a global war. Instead,
the U.S. had to deal with other issues that posed greater risks or opportunities for its national security
and global leadership,such as:

- The resurgence of great power competition with China
and Russia,
which challenged U.S.
interests
and values
in regions like Asia-Pacific,
Europe,
and cyberspace;
- The emergence
of new technologies
and domains
that created new vulnerabilities
and opportunities
for warfare,
espionage,
and innovation,such as artificial intelligence,
biotechnology,
space,
and social media;
- The intensification
of transnational problems
that required multilateral cooperation
and collective action,such as climate change,
pandemics,
nuclear proliferation,
human trafficking,
and cybercrime.

Conclusion

In conclusion,
9/11 was a watershed event
that transformed U.S. foreign policy
and the international system.
The U.S. response to 9/11
was driven by a sense of urgency,
anger,
and fear,
but also by a vision
of a safer,
freer,
and more democratic world.
However,
this response
had mixed results
and unintended consequences,
as it failed to achieve some of its goals,
generated new problems,
and neglected other issues.
The U.S. now faces a more complex
and competitive world
that requires a more nuanced
and adaptive foreign policy.

Help write my assignment - Bibliography

- CFR. (2021). How 9/11 Reshaped Foreign Policy. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/timeline/how-911-reshaped-foreign-policy
- Gordon, P. H. (2001). September 11 and American Foreign Policy. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/articles/september-11-and-american-foreign-policy/
- Foreign Affairs. (2022). 9/11 Transforms U.S. Foreign Policy. Retrieved from https://www.foreignaffairs.com/lists/911-transforms-us-foreign-policy