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Did The September 11 Attacks Start And End U.S. 'Forever Wars'?

Looking Back 20 Years Later

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States launched a global war on terror that would come to be known as the “forever wars.” Twenty years later, the U.S. is still engaged in military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other countries. The human and financial costs of these wars have been enormous, and their impact on the world has been profound.

The Start of the Forever Wars

The September 11 attacks were a watershed moment in American history. In the wake of the attacks, the U.S. government launched a military campaign in Afghanistan to topple the Taliban regime, which was harboring al-Qaeda, the terrorist group responsible for the attacks. The U.S. also invaded Iraq in 2003, claiming that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and was a threat to the United States. Both wars quickly became quagmires, and the U.S. found itself bogged down in long and costly conflicts.

The Human and Financial Costs

The human cost of the forever wars has been staggering. According to the Watson Institute of Brown University, more than 800,000 people have been killed in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan. The vast majority of these deaths have been civilians. The financial cost of the wars has also been enormous. The U.S. has spent more than $6 trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq alone.

The Impact on the World

The forever wars have had a profound impact on the world. The wars have destabilized entire regions, created millions of refugees, and fueled the rise of new terrorist groups. The wars have also eroded trust in the United States and its government. A 2021 poll by the Pew Research Center found that only 38% of Americans believe that the war in Afghanistan was worth fighting.

Did the September 11 Attacks End the Forever Wars?

Twenty years after the September 11 attacks, the United States is still engaged in the forever wars. There is no end in sight to the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. The wars have become a permanent fixture in American life, and they will likely continue to shape the world for years to come.

Conclusion

The September 11 attacks were a tragedy that changed the course of American history. The wars that followed have had a profound impact on the United States and the world. The human and financial costs of the wars have been enormous, and their impact on the world has been profound. Twenty years later, the forever wars are still ongoing, and there is no end in sight.