The West still hasn’t learnt 9/11 lessons, even 20 years later
Failure to comprehend the mistakes that led up to September 11, 2001 helps to explain the mistakes the West has made since, culminating in the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
This Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and to mark the occasion the BBC produced a documentary telling the story from the point of view of White House staff.
It was compelling, but, as is always the case with television, the medium shapes the message. By focusing on the shock and anger of America’s leadership as the atrocity unfolded, it inadvertently reinforced the narrative that 9/11 came out of nowhere.
