In a few days it will be the sixth anniversary of 9/11, and it's worth asking the question: why hasn't there been another major terrorist strike? Why haven't the Islamic radicals at least made a second serious attempt to cause the kind of damage, or worse, than the attacks of September 11, 2001 inflicted on America?
One answer--which we can expect from Bush diehards--is that the Bush administration has installed a foolproof system of terrorist detection. This theory does not convince.
This leads to a second explanation: the radical Muslims are so weak and disorganized that they can no longer pull off an effective action. This theory has adherents both on the right and the left. On the right, we hear the theory that "we've obviously taken the battle over there, and so they are unable to do harm over here." Even if there is some truth to this, it doesn't explain why every Muslim radical must head for Iraq: surely Al Qaeda could spare a few to bring the war to the headquarters of the Great Satan. Some on the left are drawn to the theory of an impotent Al Qaeda because they are looking for any excuse to get out of Iraq and, truth be told, they would like to forget about the whole War on Terror and go back to the way things were on September 10, 2001.
I'd like to suggest a different theory for why we haven't had more attempted 9/11s. Imagine if there had been more attacks. In that case Americans would have little doubt why we were fighting in Iraq. There would be no question over why this country had dispatched more than 100,000 troops to the Middle East. As in World War II, the only sentiment for ending the war would be on the part of those calling on Bush to level the countries sponsoring Islamic radicalism so that the place could be rebuilt from the ground up, as with Germany and Japan. In sum, more 9/11s would have the effect of rousing the present-oriented, slow-to-anger American dragon.
Instead, we are six years away from that catastrophic event, and already Americans are growing forgetful and impatient. Somehow, for many people 9/11 has become a freakish, surreal, one-time disaster that was surely tragic but whose recurrence doesn't seem to be a clear and present danger. So are the Islamic radicals holding back and waiting for American restlessness to produce a withdrawal from Iraq? Are the bad guys biding their time in the hopes that American lassitude will create new opportunities for them to strike even more savagely and with greater impunity in the future? How else to account for the uneasy calm that has hovered over this country for the past six years?
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 17)
46. You are exactly right Dinesh. The Islamofacist's aren't stupid. Another 9/11 style attack will mean that they will be hunted and crushed with renewed vigor. They do not want to unleash that hurricane. They prefer to wait for the myopic, narcissitic, historically ignorant, anti- capitalist political left to force the US to stand down the war on terror. Then, they will get back in the game.
John Gleason at 1:47PM on Sep 6th 2007
47. Ok, that was my moment of conspiracy there.
David McCool at 1:47PM on Sep 6th 2007
48. Remember there was an 8 year difference in the first WTC attack in 1993 and the attack on 9/11/01. Six years is nothing and there have been plenty of terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda since 9/11.
Attacks by Al Qaeda since 1993:
1993 (Feb.): Bombing of World Trade Center (WTC); 6 killed.
1993 (Oct.): Killing of U.S. soldiers in Somalia.
1996 (June): Truck bombing at Khobar Towers barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killed 19 Americans.
1998 (Aug.): Bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; 224 killed, including 12 Americans.
1999 (Dec.): Plot to bomb millennium celebrations in Seattle foiled when customs agents arrest an Algerian smuggling explosives into the U.S.
2000 (Oct.): Bombing of the USS Cole in port in Yemen; 17 U.S. sailors killed.
2001 (Sept.): Destruction of WTC; attack on Pentagon. Total dead 2,992.
2001 (Dec.): Man tried to denote shoe bomb on flight from Paris to Miami.
2002 (April): Explosion at historic synagogue in Tunisia left 21 dead, including 11 German tourists.
2002 (May): Car exploded outside hotel in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 14, including 11 French citizens.
2002 (June): Bomb exploded outside American consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 12.
2002 (Oct.): Boat crashed into oil tanker off Yemen coast, killing 1.
2002 (Oct.): Nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia, killed 202, mostly Australian citizens.
2002 (Nov.): Suicide attack on a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, killed 16.
2003 (May): Suicide bombers killed 34, including 8 Americans, at housing compounds for Westerners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2003 (May): 4 bombs killed 33 people targeting Jewish, Spanish, and Belgian sites in Casablanca, Morocco.
2003 (Aug.): Suicide car-bomb killed 12, injured 150 at Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.
2003 (Nov.): Explosions rocked a Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, housing compound, killing 17.
2003 (Nov.): Suicide car-bombers simultaneously attacked 2 synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 25 and injuring hundreds.
2003 (Nov.): Truck bombs detonated at London bank and British consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 26.
2004 (March): 10 bombs on 4 trains exploded almost simultaneously during the morning rush hour in Madrid, Spain, killing 191 and injuring more than 1,500.
2004 (May): Terrorists attacked Saudi oil company offices in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, killing 22.
2004 (June): Terrorists kidnapped and executed American Paul Johnson, Jr., in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2004 (Sept.): Car bomb outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, killed 9.
2004 (Dec.): Terrorists entered the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killing 9 (including 4 attackers).
2005 (July): Bombs exploded on 3 trains and a bus in London, England, killing 52.
2005 (Oct.): 22 killed by 3 suicide bombs in Bali, Indonesia.
2005 (Nov.): 57 killed at 3 American hotels in Amman, Jordan.
2006 (Jan.): Two suicide bombers carrying police badges blow themselves up near a celebration at the Police Academy in Baghdad, killing nearly 20 police officers. Al-Qaeda in Iraq takes responsibility.
2006 (Aug.): Police arrest 24 British-born Muslims, most of whom have ties to Pakistan, who had allegedly plotted to blow up as many as 10 planes using liquid explosives. Officials say details of the plan were similar to other schemes devised by al-Qaeda.
2007 (April): Suicide bombers attack a government building in Algeria's capital, Algiers, killing 35 and wounding hundreds more. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claims responsibility.
2007 (April): Eight people, including two Iraqi legislators, die when a suicide bomber strikes inside the Parliament building in Baghdad. An organization that includes al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia claims responsibility. In another attack, the Sarafiya Bridge that spans the Tigris River is destroyed.
2007 (June): British police find car bombs in two vehicles in London. The attackers reportedly tried to detonate the bombs using cell phones but failed. Government officials say al-Qaeda is linked to the attempted attack. The following day, an SUV carrying bombs bursts into flames after it slams into an entrance to Glasgow Airport. Officials say the attacks are connected.
Don't worry Dinesh... the next one will be coming our way again soon.
Threatisreal at 12:49AM on Sep 7th 2007
49. >>>Dinesh overestimates (as to most neo-cons) either deliberately or though his incredible depth of ignorance,>the unity of the "terrorists.">Surely, if there really were tons of terrorists out to attack America, they would have done so by now, regardless of orders from any authority. It would only take one, and hundreds of thousands of illegal Mexicans get through our border each year....>one lone terrorist should be able to. This is a government op, trust me.
Maria T Martin at 2:31PM on Sep 6th 2007
50. It has not just been a few arrests here and there. There have been countless people stopped, questioned, arrested. It just does not make headline news everyday. There are too many to keep up with. In Maryland years ago, a smart motorist called 911 just because a mom with kids were videotaping from a bridge near DC. Well, they were videotaping the top of the structure, not the river! THAT was a clue. LOL
Sure enough, the hubby at home had ties to al quaida. This did not make headline news, just a small story. Now, this stuff is ongoing everyday, but the stories are not made a big deal of.
In my book, this vigilance cannot slide. I fear a next president that does not keep up the good work in this one area. That is my biggest concern in the US. I want to stay as safe as we have been for all these years. It is NOT a coincidence!!!!
me at 2:37PM on Sep 6th 2007
51. Hey, I spent half an hour responding to post by one of the many wide-eyed conspiracy theorists in this blog and all that came out was a partial quote of the person I responded to. What the H is going on? Where can I recover my post and erase the one above?
Maria T Martin at 2:37PM on Sep 6th 2007
52. To John Gleason...
Again, living proof of the bottomless will of so-callled conservatives to swallow talking points, again and again. Talking points that are rooted in the ignorance and lack of historical perspective the people who gladly (and with robotic like timing) repeat them. John Gleason, did you even look up what fascism means? I highly doubt it because if you had, you would find out that is the precise description of the present US administration. I'm sure you're too lazy to look it up, so I'll link you to it.
In short John, it is a movement that blends nationalism and industry. In fact, Mussolini (the fascist leader of Italy, in case you didn't know) once said, (I'm paraphrasing) " Fascism should instead be called Corporatism, because that is what it really is, the State at the service of industry" Sounds familiar John? Does it sound like ANYTHING that has been going on since 2000? Add a little authoritarianism and populism and you got Grade A Fascism.
here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
also here...
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm
Also this, just in case you had a little more courage and curiosity. All this means John, that in order to be labelled (or considered by all the right standards) a fascist, someone has to have an IMMENSE level of state-sponsered power in line with industry and in turn wield it against "an enemy", usually leftists, communists or as Hitler phrased it, "terrorists".
Go ahead John, READ a little, it won't hurt I promise.
Take care,
JS
JS at 2:42PM on Sep 6th 2007
53. Only one reason there hasn't been another 9/11: The first one succeeded beyond the governments wildest expectations. We were far more willing to place ourselves under government observation and restriction than they could have guessed. As soon as we show any serious movement towards recognizing what we have done to ourselves, there will be another attack.
Jason at 2:56PM on Sep 6th 2007
54. "For many people 9/11 has become a freakish, surreal, one-time disaster"
That's because that is what 9/11 was, a freakish, once-in-25-to-75-years thing that is not going to happen again anytime soon.
We have had a grand total of 2 terrorist attacks that were successful done by foreign nationals (I am counting everything on 9/11 as one attack), with a grand total cost of 5,000 or so lives lost. That is less than we lose to CAR ACCIDENTS in ONE YEAR!
So yes, 9/11 was a 'once in a lifetime or twice in a lifetime' event for most of us, and it ISN'T WORTH WORRYING ABOUT!
There are always going to be people who are bent on killing other people based on their interpretation of religion until we GET RID OF RELIGION TOTALLY!
Once that happens..... hmm...... no more reason to kill on a word of a 'god' and anyone who says they are doing ANYTHING on the word of 'god' would be put where they belong: IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL!
Christopher at 3:07PM on Sep 6th 2007
55. I agree partly with Iowender (#3). I think we (and many countries around the world) have been sufficiently vigilant to make it much harder for terrorists to carry out organized attacks. But, I also agree with those who believe that Al Qaida and many similar organization are inherently weak. It takes a high level of organization to carry out a plan such as occurred on 9/11 or that in London. The increased security, coupled with the attempts to financially constrain terrorist orgs, has made it very hard for terrorist organizations to enact any plans near the magnitude of 9/11. If they could enact more plans of that scope, they would. The truth is that it is very difficult, and so they continue to plan--hoping for a weakness in the secuirty infrastructure that they can exploit.
I believe Al Qaida, and like orgs., have more cells than before; but these individual cells are smaller, more disjointed, and less effective. Hopefully, they will continue to splinter and fracture as they disagree in ideology and methodology.
Fred at 3:11PM on Sep 6th 2007
56. D'Souza, you're way off. To say that there haven't been any more major attacks on this country because another attack " would have the effect of rousing the present-oriented, slow-to-anger American dragon"
I do not believe for one second that the same people who would murder 3,000 civilians in a cowardly attack are now so insightful that they haven't attacked because they now better understand America. You place little emphasis on the changes in security initiated by the President. You are not only diminishing the President, you are diminishing the hard work and sacrifices of the men and women working 24/7 to keep the rest of us safe. Just because you don't have firsthand knowledge of the daily reports from FBI, CIA and other law enforcement doesn't mean they're not doing the work.
Like, love or hate him, President Bush has put fear into those cowards hearts. They thought they could attack us at will, and they got the same lesson Libya got from President Reagan," Not on MY watch!"
I submit that there has not been another 9/11 because the terrorists are afraid: afraid of our military, afraid of our Intelligence services, afraid of our law enforcement, and afraid of the President who leads us all. To you and others he may seem like a joke, but I bet you the terrorists are no longer laughing.
Mark at 3:37PM on Sep 6th 2007
57. HAVENT HAD ANOTHER 911 BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT IS DOING HIS JOB BY PROTECTING US. PERIOD.
MARY at 4:03PM on Sep 6th 2007
58. Dinesh wants us to believe that the war in Iraq has something to do with 9/11 and that the war in Iraq is the reason we haven't been attacked since 9/11. This a total lie. Most of the posts on this topic are really scary. Democrats are called traitors and others are calling for nuking the bad guys. No thought is given to innocent civilians Bush and the right wingers have a reason to keep the country scared so that can maintain power. Bush has claimed absolute power to the point we no longer have a true democracy. Just hope the Decider doesn't cancel the presidential election next year becuase of an immenent threat to the country, or because of new wars with Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. And just think,Pakistan is having political problems and they do have nuclear weapons. Get ready for the reign of George 111.
Lolly Nag at 4:06PM on Sep 6th 2007
59. To MARY...
What makes you think that your Beloved Leader President is "protecting" you? Because he says so? Wake up girl and join the rest of the freakin' planet! The guy is a constant liar, a phony, a incompetent fratboy and a fascist. Protecting you HOW, tell me? In what world do you live in? What makes you think that this president (and anybody around him) gives a hoot about you and the rest of the citizens? ALL these people care about is their class, their cronies, their corporate buddies (read OIL), their assets and their military-industrial complex masters. PERIOD.
Again, as I said to John Gleason above, READ a little, it won't hurt.
JS
JS at 4:15PM on Sep 6th 2007
60. an aside to alfred: get sober.
now,onto dinesh: speculation and surmising(S&S). these are egregious faults. S&S have been factored into the complacent intra-agency rivalries that contributed to our 9/11 unpreparedness. S&S are the genesis of the fiction manufactured to invade iraq. S&S, dinesh, continues to be your bread & butter.
we survive each day through denial. no one thinks he/she will be deleted from the world when rising that day. denial separates us from worrying about the probability of personal tragedies.while sipping our coffee we are not thinking -the earthquake's going to hit right now! we drive everyday feeling we will make it home safely at day's end. sudden death, horrible diseases,fires,natural disasters to do not keep us awake at night. no, no, no. if we S&S'd this stuff everyday we'd all be in bedlam.
what i'm trying to communicate is we collectively are not actively worrying about the NEXT 9/11 because we know that there are all kinds of 9/11's in our daily world that can just creep up on ya when you least expect and- pow! don't we take the necessary preventatives to stay alive, be healthy, remain positive? no, nope, no 9/11s for me today,thank you!
when in the crosswalk we don't worry that the uncoming vehicle's brakes will prevent the driver from stopping. we hope for the best. prepare for emergencies (if we are so inclined). And we continue to hope for the best. as in golf we've learned to play it as it lays.
boredwell at 4:15PM on Sep 6th 2007