NewsBite

Opinion

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.

Tim Stanley

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

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.

Loading...

The Telegraph London

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

Read More

Latest In North America

Fetching latest articles

Most Viewed In World

    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/the-west-still-hasn-t-learnt-9-11-lessons-even-20-years-later-20210906-p58p2t