2009 attack on U. S. Army Post, Ft. Hood

The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people, including the hijackers, and caused extensive damage to the World Trade Center complex and the Pentagon.  

Classification as a Terrorist Attack

The September 11 attacks clearly meet the definition of terrorism, which involves the use of violence or threats of violence to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population to further political or social objectives. The attacks were premeditated, targeted civilian populations, and were intended to cause widespread fear and panic.

Group Responsibility and Motives

The attacks were carried out by al-Qaeda, a militant Islamist group founded by Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaeda's ideology is based on a radical interpretation of Islam that calls for a global jihad against the West, particularly the United States.

Al-Qaeda's motives for the attacks were to punish the United States for its support of Israel and its military presence in the Middle East, and to provoke a wider war between the Islamic world and the West.

The United States' Response

The United States responded to the attacks with a global "War on Terror." This involved military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as increased security measures at home and abroad.

Analysis of the Response

The U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks has been controversial. Some argue that the invasion of Iraq was not directly related to the attacks and that it destabilized the region. Others argue that the heightened security measures have infringed on civil liberties.

However, it is also important to acknowledge that the U.S. response has had some successes. Al-Qaeda has been significantly weakened, and the number of large-scale terrorist attacks in the West has decreased.

Suggestions for Appropriate Responses

In addition to the military and security responses, there are other measures that the United States could take to address the root causes of terrorism:

• Diplomacy and Dialogue: Engaging in constructive dialogue with Muslim-majority countries to address their grievances and promote understanding.
• Economic Development: Supporting economic development in regions affected by conflict and poverty, which can help to reduce extremism.
• Counter-Narrative: Countering extremist ideologies through education and public diplomacy.

By combining military force with diplomatic and economic measures, the United States can more effectively address the threat of terrorism.

The terrorist attack I've chosen is the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Description of the Attack

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both towers to collapse. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers.