Nineteenth Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks

Nineteen years ago today, al-Qaeda Islamist terrorists massacred nearly 3,000 people in America in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on New York, Washington and over Pennsylvania. After the United States overthrew the Taliban regime of Afghanistan that was harboring them. American forces have remained to prevent their return to power. Although there have been many deadly terrorist attacks and attacks on military targets since then, the U.S. success in the War on Terrorism in thwarting al-Qaeda and its offshoot, the Islamic State, from committing any attacks nearly on the same scale as September 11 has freed Americans and others around the globe from constant fear. This success, combined with the rise of other threats, such as cyberattacks and the worst pandemic in a century, make the scourge of terrorism and Islamism seem relatively less dangerous and causes some to lower their guard or urge the abandonment of the fight, which would be foolish. Islamists are determined to continue violent holy war. Indeed, seeing the greater potential of using cyberattacks in new ways or learning from the pandemic how possibly to make biological warfare more effective, terrorists will exploit vulnerabilities and shift to more dangerous methods. Constant deterrence is vital. Defeating particular Islamist leaders who claim the favor of Allah is essential, but defeating Islamism is a longer-term endeavor that relies on persistence. As we recall and honor the dead and the heroes of September 11, may we continue to be ever-vigilant against Islamism and terrorism.