9/11 +20 years

I can hardly believe that 20 years have passed since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. I was only 13 years old at the time, and it was the last days of my summer vacation in Romania. I remember waking up late that day, eager to spend the rest of my day playing with my friends and enjoying the last bits of summer freedom.

But later that day, as I turned on the television, I saw something that would change my life forever. The news was showing the images of the Twin Towers in New York City on fire, and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was shocking, confusing, and scary all at once.

That day, nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost in the United States, and it was a tragedy that shook the world. It was a senseless act of violence that left many families and communities in pain and suffering. I couldn't understand how someone could be capable of such cruelty.

After that day, the world changed in profound ways. The United States launched a global war on terrorism, and many countries around the world, including Romania, joined in the fight. The goal was to root out and destroy the extremist networks responsible for the attacks and prevent future attacks from happening.

The global war on terrorism has had many key elements, including military operations, intelligence gathering, and diplomacy. One of the most significant elements has been the use of drone strikes to target terrorist leaders and their networks. According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, there have been nearly 14,000 drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia since 2004, resulting in the deaths of over 7,000 people. While drone strikes have been effective in taking out high-level targets, they have also been controversial due to the number of civilian casualties.

Another key element has been the use of surveillance to monitor and track terrorist activity. This has involved the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data from sources such as phone records and social media. While this has undoubtedly helped to prevent some attacks, it has also raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

The global war on terrorism has also led to a paradigm shift towards a multipolar world. The United States was once seen as the dominant superpower, but the rise of other countries such as China and Russia has challenged that notion. The war on terrorism has been a factor in this shift, as the United States has had to devote significant resources to fighting terrorism rather than focusing on other global challenges.

The years since September 11 have been marked by tragedy, resilience, and determination. The unnecessary loss of lives in the United States and the impact of the attacks have left a lasting impression on me and millions of others. The global war on terrorism has been a complex and multifaceted effort, with both successes and failures. As we look to the future, we must continue to learn from the past and work together to build a more peaceful and secure world for all.