It is amazing how small the mighty America looked while it was burning. That raised many questions. How could America, the mightiest power in history, become a house of glass? America, at that moment, dissolved before the eyes of the world which was divided between happy and sad, hopeful and fearful. Some said it was a moment of weakness and others saw it, the German chancellor Schroeder for example, as the beginning of a new history.
The American administration, however, will be, henceforth, less tolerant or will give little recognition to international law or the circumstances that forced it to ignore the hostile forces — whether individuals or organizations — that operated freely on American soil, taking every advantage of the rights granted and guaranteed by its constitution.
Why has such a superpower kept silent about these insults for so long?
This very question has puzzled many, including those who recognize the importance of respecting international law as the United States does, because they are aware that the US has become a victim of that respect.
Before we talk about future possibilities, let’s talk about the debate that took place prior to the attacks, on how to encounter the repeated threats on the US.
Both the security and military apparatus felt that the solution was to launch real war on suspected lands and groups. The political establishment, however, thought that the prime interests of the US should take into account its political relations and legal roles. Therefore, years have elapsed in hopes that the enemies would abandon terrorism or that a major act would take place so as to put an end to the debate. Interestingly, that is exactly what happened on Sept. 11.
It is strange that the US, as a superpower, was under attack and threat for a long time and yet did nothing in response except offering rewards to anyone who might help in the arrest of those who were wanted. The coming period will be dedicated to re-evaluating Washington’s political attitude that disappointed both security and military institutions. Furthermore, it is assumed that if the US had tracked and apprehended the dangerous groups that threaten it, that would have prevented the occurrence of the latest terrorist acts. It is true that small operations would grow, but combating them will give the security apparatus more experience which will, in turn, improve its abilities. Eventually, amateurs would become professionals, every failure adding to their expertise.
It is absurd for anyone to believe that superpowers are safe or are secure against danger from their enemies; the US is the most vulnerable of all.
The US is facing numerous foes such as radical whites, Christian fundamentalists, Islamist extremists and the Latin drug cartels.
No doubt that superpowers are subject to increasing numbers of enemies due to vast self-interest and also the conflict of interests. Hence, it is imperative that such movements should be contained and destroyed before they can expand. That was the policy the security and military establishments have been calling for. After these huge losses in lives and property, it looks, they were right.
