Summary of Key Points
This article, written on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, takes a step back from the public's conventional memory of the "terrorist attacks" to re-examine the long-term连锁 effects of this disaster in 2001. It was not just a single tragic event that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people; it also shattered the optimistic expectations of "peaceful globalization" that prevailed worldwide after the Cold War, rewrote the rules of global security, and contributed to the decline of the United States as a superpower. Additionally, it indirectly provided China with a precious period of more than a decade of development. Many of the underlying dynamics of the turbulent and divided world we live in today were established on that day of 9/11.
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Simplified Explanation of Key Points
1. The "invisible rules" of everyday travel all originated from 9/11
Many of the rules we now take for granted when traveling by plane—such as not being able to carry liquids over 100 ml, having to separate power banks for inspection, removing coats for scanning, and providing fingerprints and filling out numerous security forms when applying for a visa—did not exist before 2001. Back then, airport security was so lax that ordinary people could even bring art knives on board planes. The terrorists of 9/11 used just a few such knives to hijack four civilian aircraft. In response, the U.S. enacted the Patriot Act, expanded the surveillance powers of intelligence agencies, and established the Department of Homeland Security, raising airport security standards to unprecedented levels. Countries around the world followed suit, tightening border controls.
2. The peak of the U.S. as a superpower was shaken by two Middle East wars
In 2001, the U.S. had just emerged victorious over the Soviet Union and was the undisputed global superpower, with no other nation capable of challenging it militarily or economically. Scholars were proclaiming the "end of history" and suggesting that all countries would follow the U.S. model of development. However, after 9/11, the U.S. became embroiled in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq for 20 years, spending nearly $3 trillion (equivalent to one-fifth of China's GDP in 2023). Thousands of American soldiers lost their lives, and countless resources were expended. By 2021, the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan in a humiliating manner, and the Taliban regained power. The goal of eliminating terrorism was not achieved; instead, extremist groups in the Middle East only grew stronger. This shift in focus from global expansion to domestic conflicts marked the decline of the U.S. as a superpower.
3. An unexpected boon for China: a golden period of development
In the first half of 2001, Sino-U.S. relations were very tense, with incidents such as the U.S. bombing of the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia in 1999 and a plane collision in the South China Sea in April 2001. However, 9/11 shifted the U.S.'s focus to al-Qaeda and terrorism, leaving it with little energy to target China. China promptly offered condolences to President Bush and expressed willingness to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, leading to a détente in relations. China joined the WTO at the end of 2001 and took advantage of the U.S.'s distraction to benefit from globalization. Its economy grew rapidly through manufacturing exports, and it quickly became the world's second-largest economy. By the time the U.S. realized its strategic shift, China had already become too powerful to be contained. This strategic buffer period was crucial for China's economic growth.
4. The turbulent world we face today has roots in 9/11
Before 9/11, there was a consensus that direct conflicts between major powers would decrease, and globalization would continue smoothly. But the attacks showed that a few extremists with low-cost weapons could severely undermine a superpower. Issues such as race, religion, and identity, which had been suppressed by the Cold War, resurfaced. In the U.S., identity politics became increasingly polarized, and European countries faced social tensions from hosting Middle East refugees. Extremism and separatist movements spread globally, affecting internal governance in various countries. Borders became more secure, and trade considerations became more stringent. Globalization slowed down, leading to the current trend of de-globalization and factionalism. All these changes originated from the day the World Trade Center towers collapsed 25 years ago.
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Conclusion
The 9/11 attacks had a profound impact on the world, shaping the rules of security, international relations, and economic development. While the physical ruins of the World Trade Center have been rebuilt, the underlying issues of extremism and geopolitical tensions remain. Humanity still has a long way to go to achieve true peace and security.