Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. On that day, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. The attack killed nearly 3,000 people. The attacks had a profound impact on the United States and the world, Let’s dive into know what if the 9/11 attack in the USA never happened.
The 9/11 attack is undoubtedly one of the most devastating events in history. The fate of the whole world would have been different if it had never taken place. More importantly, the lives of almost 3000 people will not be lost. Their families would be relieved from mourning their loved ones. However, its effects will go way beyond that!
No War With Afghanistan or Iraq!
The War on Terror, which began in the wake of 9/11, has had a significant impact on the Middle East and the world. The United States would not have invaded Afghanistan or Iraq! It is estimated that the war has cost trillions of dollars and led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people from that day onwards. All of those lives and costs will be saved.
The 9/11 attacks triggered a cycle of violence and retaliation that goes on to this day. It is impossible to say for sure how many lives have been lost or how many people have been displaced as a result of the War on Terror.
No Radical Transformation in Security
Without the wake-up call of 9/11, the United States might not have undergone the radical transformation of its security apparatus. The Department of Homeland Security, the Directorate of National Intelligence, and the National Counterterrorism Center might never have been established. The USA PATRIOT Act may never have become law. Airport security procedures, such as the TSA’s existence, might have remained less intrusive.
The United States would be a different country. The 9/11 attacks changed the United States in many ways. The country became more security-conscious and less tolerant of dissent. The government expanded surveillance powers. As a result, civil liberties were subjected to erosion.
Absence Islamophobia
The United States would not have experienced the level of Islamophobia it is experiencing even today. The 9/11 attacks led to a rise in Islamophobia in the United States and around the world. It led to a deep distrust between the United States and the Muslim world. Many Muslims were unfairly targeted and discriminated against. In the attack’s absence, the Arab and Muslim communities in the United States might have faced less scrutiny and prejudice. The world would be a more peaceful place.
Changes in Foreign Policy
The absence of 9/11 would likely have led the United States to a different foreign policy. America has adopted a more unilateral foreign policy following the disastrous attack. The Arab Spring and its ripple effects across the Middle East could have taken an entirely different path without the catalyst of the U.S. war on terror. This policy has alienated some of America’s allies and made it more difficult to build international consensus on important issues.
No Global War On Terror
The global war on terror, as we know it, would cease to exist. At least the terror’s magnitude would have toned down! Al-Qaeda might not have gained the notoriety it did, and extremist groups may have evolved differently. The Arab Spring may have unfolded without the presence of jihadist movements.
The erosion of civil liberties in the name of national security might have been less pronounced. Surveillance programs like PRISM and the debate over privacy versus security could have followed a divergent trajectory.
Economic Landscape
The economic landscape would have also faced some drastic changes. The financial burden of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the increased defense spending, would not have been incurred. The economic downturn of 2008 might have unfolded differently, if at all, without the preceding financial stress.
Balance of Power in The Middle East
The balance of power in the Middle East and South Asia would likely be different, with implications for conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere. The Iran nuclear deal might have occurred sooner and under different circumstances.
Another thing is, the United States would be less involved in the Middle East. The War on Terror has made the United States deeply involved in the Middle East. This involvement has been costly and has contributed to instability in the region.
Of course, it is impossible to say for sure what the world would exactly be like if the 9/11 attacks never happened. However, it is clear that the attacks had a significant impact on the course of history. They changed the way the United States and the world view terrorism, security, and each other.
On this 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we remember the victims and their families. We also reflect on the ways that the attacks have changed our world. May we never forget the lessons of 9/11 and work to build a more peaceful and just world.
Conclusion
The 9/11 attacks were a defining moment in American history. They changed the way we live, the way we think, and the way we view the world. It is impossible to say for sure what the world would be like if they had never happened. But one thing is for sure: the world would be a very different place.
