The attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon were an inflection point in American history, prompting a seismic shift in US military posture abroad and the expansion of the national-security state at home. What lessons—good and bad—did the United States take from that fateful day, and how has the fallout repositioned its place in the world? Here is the best commentary and analysis from the Atlantic Council on the legacy of 9/11 and how the attacks continue to shape our future.

Twenty years after 9/11

The Future of Counterterrorism Project series

US national security experts consider counterterrorism twenty years after 9/11, reimagining the future of avoiding a terrorist threat.

The consequences of a US overreaction to the perceived threat of terrorism

Aug 3, 2021

The future of counterterrorism: Twenty years after 9/11

National security experts examine how the United States and its allies and partners must reimagine their counterterrorism strategies to counter the next terrorist threat.

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The consequences of a US overreaction to the perceived threat of terrorism

New Atlanticist Sep 10, 2021

Confronting the disaster left behind in Afghanistan

By Mir Sadat

The United States screwed up the endgame in Afghanistan once again, but working with allies and private rescue efforts, there’s time to make things right.
Afghanistan Conflict
The consequences of a US overreaction to the perceived threat of terrorism

9/11 – Twenty years on Sep 9, 2021

We have heroes, not avengers: A generation shaped by 9/11

By Caroline Multerer

The children of 2001 are frustrated—but not disgruntled.
Resilience Resilience & Society
The consequences of a US overreaction to the perceived threat of terrorism

MENASource Sep 2, 2021

To honor two generations of service members, prevent the next GWOT ribbon

By Caroline Donnal

Today, executive and legislative actions signal a shift: America’s military footprint in the Middle East is shrinking and thousands of troops are coming home.
Afghanistan Iraq

Events

Online Event Wed, September 8, 2021 • 10:30 am ET

The future of counterterrorism: Twenty years after 9/11

US national security experts discuss counterterrorism twenty years after 9/11, reimagining the future of the terrorist threat.
Europe & Eurasia Extremism Intelligence Middle East

Content

Article

Nov 1, 2021

The consequences of a US overreaction to the perceived threat of terrorism

By Christopher Preble

In the twenty years since 9/11, for example, favorable attitudes toward the United States have declined globally, with some of the sharpest declines in key US allies like Germany and the United Kingdom.

Nationalism Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2021

Confronting the disaster left behind in Afghanistan

By Mir Sadat

The United States screwed up the endgame in Afghanistan once again, but working with allies and private rescue efforts, there’s time to make things right.

Afghanistan Conflict

9/11 – Twenty years on

Sep 9, 2021

We have heroes, not avengers: A generation shaped by 9/11

By Caroline Multerer

The children of 2001 are frustrated—but not disgruntled.

Resilience Resilience & Society
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Content

Article

Nov 1, 2021

The consequences of a US overreaction to the perceived threat of terrorism

By Christopher Preble

In the twenty years since 9/11, for example, favorable attitudes toward the United States have declined globally, with some of the sharpest declines in key US allies like Germany and the United Kingdom.

Nationalism Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2021

Confronting the disaster left behind in Afghanistan

By Mir Sadat

The United States screwed up the endgame in Afghanistan once again, but working with allies and private rescue efforts, there's time to make things right.

Afghanistan Conflict

9/11 - Twenty years on

Sep 9, 2021

We have heroes, not avengers: A generation shaped by 9/11

By Caroline Multerer

The children of 2001 are frustrated—but not disgruntled.

Resilience Resilience & Society

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Extremist communications: The future is corporate

By Jennifer A. Counter

Digital platforms have enabled white supremacists such as The Base to build out networks in North America, Europe, and Australia, and provide extremist groups with a low- to zero-cost means to disseminate their messages.

National Security Security & Defense

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Does treating Syria as a State Sponsor of Terrorism advance or hold back US national security interests?

By Nate Rosenblatt

In 1979, the United States designated Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, putting it on its first-ever such list along with Libya, Iraq, and the former South Yemen.

Middle East National Security

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Combating domestic extremism means combating the insider threat in law enforcement

By Mary McCord

Dozens of law enforcement officers have been investigated or charged for their participation in events culminating in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol.

National Security Nationalism

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Preparing for future concepts in terrorism: Non-kinetic acts and decentralization

By Arun Iyer

Twenty years ago, on September 11, 2001, the world saw a coordinated attack on the United States that struck us as “unimaginable” at the time.

National Security Security & Defense

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Facing the future of bioterrorism

By Barry Pavel and Vikram Venkatram

Biotechnology has developed at an astounding rate over the first twenty years of the twenty-first century. Emerging biotechnological tools have become cheaper and more accessible than ever before, and less expertise is necessary to use those tools effectively.

Security & Defense Terrorism

Article

Sep 7, 2021

OPINION: We are all responsible for 6/5

By Max Brooks

If there is any hope of preventing another 6/5, and defusing the smoldering rebellion behind it, we must first admit that we are all to blame.

Security & Defense Terrorism

Article

Sep 7, 2021

The global war on terrorism wrecked relations with Iran

By Barbara Slavin

The most fundamental strategic error of the George W. Bush administration following the September 11, 2001, attacks was launching a “Global War on Terrorism” that failed to distinguish properly between those responsible for the 9/11 attacks and other US adversaries.

Iran Middle East
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