9/11, 20 years later: Legacies and lessons
Past Event
Two decades later, the 9/11 attacks continue to shape American government, society, and foreign policy. Counterterrorism efforts — including an expansion of military activity, law enforcement operations, and intelligence powers — have succeeded in preventing similar attacks on U.S. soil. Today, the risk of jihadist terrorism no longer dominates the national security debate, and the most pressing challenges facing the United States and the international community emanate from great power competition and transnational threats such as climate change, pandemic disease, and malicious use of technology. Still, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s resumption of control over the country have revived concerns about terrorism and intensified the debate over America’s post-9/11 foreign policy. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the devastating attacks on the United States, it is essential that the lessons learned in the last two decades inform future decisions.
On September 10, Brookings hosted an expert discussion on the legacies and lessons of September 11. The New Yorker’s Susan Glasser moderated a conversation with Ryan Crocker, who served as United States ambassador in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Brookings President John R. Allen, a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general, former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, and special presidential envoy to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. Then, panels of experts explored the legacy and lessons of September 11 for U.S. government and foreign policy.
Viewers submitted questions for speakers via email to events@brookings.edu or via Twitter using #Sept11Lessons.
Agenda
Keynote conversation: Security, diplomacy, and the future of Afghanistan
Amb. Ryan Crocker
Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (2011-2012), Iraq (2007-2009), Pakistan (2004-2007), Syria (1998-2001), Kuwait (1994-1997), and Lebanon (1990-1993)
Panel 1: Lessons for the U.S. government and counterterrorism
Juliette Kayyem
National Security Analyst - CNN
Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security - Harvard Kennedy School
Elaine Kamarck
Founding Director - Center for Effective Public Management
Senior Fellow - Governance Studies
Panel 2: Lessons for U.S. foreign policy and America’s role in the world
Jane Horton
Former Senior Advisor, Office of the Secretary of Defense - U.S. Department of Defense
Former Congressional and Military Liaison - Embassy of Afghanistan, Washington, D.C.
Farah Pandith
Former U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities - U.S. Department of State
Senior Fellow - Harvard Kennedy School
Adjunct Senior Fellow - Council on Foreign Relations
Author - "How We Win"
Michael E. O’Hanlon
Director of Research - Foreign Policy
Director - Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology
Co-Director - Africa Security Initiative
Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology
Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy
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