By ISAAC HOLT

Featured Image: (left) Smoke rising from the World Trade Center after the second tower was struck, (September 11, 2001); (right) The immediate aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip (October 21, 2023)

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 members of the Jihadist militant group al-Qaeda carried out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on major US targets. These attacks involved the hijacking of four U.S. aircraft to target the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. The attacks left a lasting mark in American history and not only changed international politics but caused significant shifts in national security strategies and the global discourse on anti-terrorism policy. More than two decades later, the world grapples with a renewed Israel-Hamas War and the prospect of a massive military confrontation in the Gaza Strip. Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Hamas’ invasion of Southern Israel, was launched on the morning of October 7, 2023. This attack saw thousands of Hamas militants infiltrate Israel through the Israel-Gaza Strip border, carry out attacks on military and police/security targets, capture over 200 hostages, and kill Israeli civilians. While these two events may seem unrelated, the broader context of responses to acts of militant violence and the ensuing complexities in global politics allow us to examine how decisions made in the aftermath of 9/11 and Operation Al-Aqsa Flood have influenced contemporary politics and society. In doing so, we can gain valuable insights into the challenges faced in the ongoing conflict.

In the wake of chaotic events like the 9/11 attacks and Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, profound reactions span across governments, societies, and individuals. These decisive historical moments involve layers of responses, decisions, and global ramifications. They emphasize the necessity of competent leadership and unwavering values when countries are navigating the complexities of the modern world. At such moments, the choices made by leaders and the values they uphold become instrumental in shaping the course of events and the subsequent impact on people, nations, and international relations. 

Competent, timely decision-making is not just a theoretical concept; it is a driving force that determines the trajectory of history. The need for it is vividly exemplified in the response to the 9/11 attacks when the United States and an international coalition launched an invasion of Afghanistan less than a month after the attacks to destroy al-Qaeda’s base of operations and bring those responsible for the 9/11 attacks to justice. This invasion marked the commencement of a global ‘War on Terror’ involving more than 50 countries, lasting over 20 years, and directly causing the deaths of approximately 925,000 people, as reported by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.  

Immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government took rapid action to fight terrorism, causing lasting political and social changes. The government’s response involved prominent legislation such as the USA PATRIOT Act, a law passed less than two months after the 9/11 attacks, which reorganized and greatly empowered the U.S. Intelligence Community. This law gave the government, more specifically the FBI and NSA, broadened police and surveillance powers to combat terrorism inside and outside the United States. The law and its various security provisions have been called unconstitutional by numerous legal scholars and politicians who cite problems concerning the right to privacy and the legality of warrantless searches. However, it remains in force to this very day, and provisions of the law are still used to authorize various intelligence activities under the umbrella of anti-terrorism. These decisions to significantly expand the authority and scope of U.S. intelligence and security services were made with great haste and constituted the most extensive reorganization of the Federal Government since the New Deal during the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While there can be controversy over the details of policies and laws implemented, nobody can deny the importance of swift action in times of crisis. In Israel’s case, major decisions like these are ones that they will have to make in the coming days, weeks, and months. These decisions will have profound effects on the region for many years to come. They will be significant to the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people in the area.

During the War on Terror, the United States pursued a policy of extended military involvement. This militarist policy included the invasion of and subsequent insurgency in Afghanistan, followed by interventions in Iraq and Syria, and ongoing military actions in Yemen. These sustained military efforts were part of a broader strategy to combat terrorism globally with overwhelming military force, leading to significant international and domestic criticism over collateral damage and excessive civilian casualties.

In each case, U.S. leadership spearheaded coalition efforts to find military solutions to their conflicts. These decisions contributed to the War on Terror lasting as long as it did and having the profound effect on human life that it did. There are regions of the Middle East that are still depopulated and ruined because of conflicts stemming from the War on Terror. This global campaign shares a common theme with Israel’s current fight against Hamas, as the decisions that are today having to be made by the Israeli government involve the prospects of various responses by the Israeli national security apparatus. These responses by Israel, while countering a unique and different threat, abide by the same principles as the responses to 9/11, whereby military operations are launched against the territory and infrastructure of militant adversaries, hoping to eliminate their existence as a group through outright destruction. Both sides of the conflict have suffered a large number of civilian casualties. At the same time, Israel’s policy in the Gaza Strip continues to draw strong criticism around the world for what many perceive as a lack of regard for the Palestinian civilian population in areas of conflict.  

The lessons learned by the U.S. and its allies from the War on Terror are complex and still playing out in the present day. These lessons will be necessary to Israel in its coming fights against Hamas in this new era of warfare. One of the prevailing lessons, or takeaways, from the U.S.’s prolonged involvement in the War on Terror is the failure to use military force to solve problems of national and international precedence. In their fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, while successfully kicking al-Qaeda’s base of operations out of Afghanistan, the United States was unable to affect change in Afghanistan past what it could do operationally with its military. The various administrations and democratic measures put in place by the international community did little to quell the Taliban insurgency and eventual return to power in 2021. 

Israel, much like the United States, has had to learn from past mistakes when responding to different threats in the region. This history is important to Israel’s current conflict, given the similar responses both Israel and the United States have used against terrorist threats. As the United fought an asymmetrical war for over 20 years, their military and security apparatus had to adjust to fight this new and unique enemy. Despite changing approaches throughout the war, the mainstay U.S. policy of militarism, a “lesson to be learned” from the failure of the War on Terror, underpins the motivations of U.S. and Israeli national security policy and provides insight into the current conflict as to how the different parties might bring about a peaceful resolution.

While the commonalities between the War on Terrorism and Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas are evident in their decision-making processes, it’s essential to turn our attention to the unique challenges faced by Israel today. The Israeli government is grappling with a complex set of circumstances, including conflicts with Iran’s various proxies and the difficulties of fighting a now widened asymmetrical war with Hamas in Gaza. These challenges and their underlying similarities with the ones the U.S. faced during the War on Terror demand a closer examination to understand how their history can inform the responses to these problems Israel faces.

Consider, for instance, Operation Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and subsequent attacks launched by Hamas fighters against Israeli targets in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Immediately after the attacks, Israel responded with an immediate blockade of the entire Gaza Strip and retaliatory airstrikes. In addition to these strikes, Israel is widely believed to currently be planning a large-scale ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, aiming to eliminate Hamas’ political influence in the Gaza Strip and setting the prospect for a conflict that will not cool down anytime soon. This ground invasion, if carried out, will present new and unique military challenges that the IDF has never faced before.  

Another one of the critical challenges Israel faces in its current fight is its balancing of military effectiveness and the human rights of the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip, a densely populated and contested territory, plays a central role in the dynamics of this conflict. Israel’s approach to this region not only encompasses military operations but also its broader national security policy since the founding of the country in 1948. The history of Israel’s security policy in the Gaza Strip is a complex narrative marked by significant milestones. Since its establishment, Israel has grappled with territorial conflicts, negotiations, and the ever-present challenge of security in a volatile region inhabited by numerous different ethnic and religious groups.

The Israeli response to Hamas’ attack does not just affect the Israeli government and military. It is essential to reflect on the impact Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip has on the lives of the two million Palestinians living there. Currently, the United Nations estimates that 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced in the Gaza Strip as a result of constant Israeli bombardment and recent orders to evacuate the northern part of the Gaza Strip completely.  Since the beginning of violent tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians, Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank have been subjected to Israeli air and artillery strikes for decades. While there is no definitive number, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that the Israeli military has killed more than 2,000 Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in the past ten years and more than 7,000 Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip since October 7. The ongoing problems faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip can aptly be described as a humanitarian crisis, as the entire population is under complete blockade from both Israel and Egypt and has virtually no control over their territory beyond the will of Hamas. Additionally, as the Palestinian territories currently have a very scattered political leadership, there is no prominent representative for the Palestinians on the world stage in any full capacity.  This crisis, while not the fault of any one person, is most directly present as a result of the Israeli government’s actions towards fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip and maintaining its national security.

It is also crucial to acknowledge the intricate nature of these situations and the pressing security concerns faced by both the United States and Israel daily. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government had to contend with the need to protect its citizens and prevent future acts of mass terrorism. Similarly, Israel, in its ongoing fight against Hamas, faces genuine security threats that have often led to complex decisions. Balancing these security concerns with protecting civilian populations is a daunting challenge, and it is essential to recognize the difficulty of navigating such treacherous waters. A complete analysis of these conflicts should consider the genuine fears and vulnerabilities that have shaped the policies of these nations while also scrutinizing the consequences that these policies may have on civilian populations and the broader geopolitical landscape. Acknowledging this complexity is fundamental to understanding these issues entirely. 

In reflecting on the responses to the 9/11 attacks and their relevance to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, we find ourselves at a crucial crossroads in history. These events remind us that history is an invaluable teacher, offering essential lessons in leadership, ethics, and the delicate equilibrium between security and human rights. The War on Terror and Israel’s response to Hamas underscore the complexities of modern conflicts, where military actions often carry a heavy toll on civilian populations. While navigating these treacherous waters, we must acknowledge the genuine fears and vulnerabilities shaping the policies of nations like the United States and Israel. Balancing security concerns with protecting civilian populations in an ongoing conflict is a complex task. Therefore, it’s essential to delve into the intricacies of these modern conflicts, scrutinizing the consequences of these policies on the broader geopolitical landscape.

Lessons from history remind us of the importance of adaptability and the wisdom gained from experiences and choices. While confronting ever-changing conflicts, we aspire to a future where diplomacy, cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace, security, and justice prevail. Our hope for a better tomorrow rests on our capacity to learn from the past, chart a course through the shifting currents of international relations, and constantly work toward sustainable, practical solutions that uphold the self-determination and rights of all those affected. In turbulent times such as these, the lessons we draw from history are not merely intellectual exercises; they are the guiding principles that shape our responses to crises and our vision for a world free from the plague of violence. Only together can we build a future where conflicts are resolved with empathy, diplomacy, and unwavering dedication to the values that make us not only stronger nations but also compassionate citizens in the global community.