9/11 : 25th anniversary.

The Outsider's take

Former presidents including Obama, Biden, and Bush have gathered in New York for the 9/11 remembrance ceremony. This marks the tragedy's 25th anniversary.

The September 11 attacks fundamentally changed the global landscape, sparking a series of long-term political, economic, and social shifts.

On a Geopolitical and Military Impact, the attacks launched the "War on Terror," leading to the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 to dismantle Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. This was followed by the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which destabilised the region and significantly altered the balance of power in the Middle East. These conflicts resulted in massive loss of life, the displacement of millions, and long-term regional instability that continues to influence the Middle East and international relations today.

The Social and Cultural Shifts:

The post-9/11 era saw a rise in Islamophobia and xenophobia in many Western nations. Today, 25 years after the attacks, New Yorkers have a Muslim mayor, which has sparked controversy in the past day about whether it would be “acceptable” for him to attend the commemoration. Not because he participated in the attack—he was a little child at the time—but because he is Muslim. Perhaps this could be the perfect example of triumph that New Yorkers could display on this day. Wouldn’t Mandani’s presence at the commemoration signify that the extremist ideology which once proclaimed that Muslims should hate all of America has failed and did not succeed?

Political discourse often became polarised around the tension between national security and civil liberties. The attacks also forced many countries to align with the U.S.-led coalition, straining some diplomatic alliances and redefining global cooperation against non-state actors.