September 11 attacks triggered a generation of global warfare

An analysis by researcher Grigory Lukyanov examines how the September 11 terrorist attacks transformed into a generation of warfare and profound geopolitical shifts. What began as a targeted act by Al-Qaeda against the United States evolved into decades of conflict, including the invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.

These military actions led to long-term occupations, power vacuums, and the emergence of new extremist groups such as ISIS. In the Middle East, the removal of Iraqi influence altered regional power balances, specifically increasing the geopolitical rivalry involving Iran. Additionally, some regional regimes utilized the global fight against terrorism to justify domestic repression.

In Western nations, the ‘War on Terror’ resulted in the militarization of law enforcement and a shift in analytical frameworks toward viewing certain political and religious movements through a security lens. This period was also marked by a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment, discrimination, and hate crimes.