September 11 attacks: The long-term impact of the War on Terror

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the strategic and geopolitical consequences of the subsequent “War on Terror” continue to shape the global landscape. Following the attacks, US President George W. Bush launched military actions in Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaida and remove the Taliban regime that provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden. In 2003, the US also invaded Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

These military interventions aimed to promote democracy and stability in the Middle East but resulted in significant instability. In Afghanistan, the Taliban have returned to power, raising concerns about the potential for renewed terrorist activity. The conflicts in the region are estimated to have caused up to half a million deaths. Furthermore, the wars contributed to a cycle of violence and radicalization that has impacted Western societies through various terrorist attacks and the rise of extremist ideologies.