I N T R E P X

Chapter 10 of “Folly and Glory” by Tim Weiner examines the seismic shift in U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This chapter delves into the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the launch of the Global War on Terror, and the far-reaching consequences of U.S. military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Weiner explores how these events reshaped America’s role in the world and ushered in a new era of conflict, marked by the challenges of combating terrorism, the complexities of nation-building, and the unintended consequences of prolonged military engagements.

1. The Shock of 9/11 and the Response:
Weiner begins by describing the shock and horror of the September 11 attacks, in which al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. The attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people, were the deadliest on American soil and exposed the vulnerabilities of the U.S. to non-state actors.

In response, President George W. Bush declared a “war on terror,” vowing to defeat the terrorist networks responsible for the attacks and any state that harbored them. Weiner outlines how this declaration marked a significant escalation in U.S. military and intelligence activities, with a focus on preventing further attacks and dismantling terrorist groups worldwide.

2. The Invasion of Afghanistan:
The first major action in the Global War on Terror was the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. The U.S., with support from NATO allies, targeted the Taliban regime, which had provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda. Weiner details the swift initial military success in toppling the Taliban and driving al-Qaeda into hiding, including the mountainous regions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

However, Weiner also highlights the challenges that emerged as the U.S. shifted from combat operations to the more complex task of nation-building. Efforts to establish a stable, democratic government in Afghanistan were hampered by ongoing insurgency, corruption, and the country’s deep-rooted tribal divisions. Over time, the mission in Afghanistan evolved into a protracted conflict with no clear endpoint, illustrating the difficulties of achieving lasting peace and stability in a war-torn region.

3. The Invasion of Iraq and the Quest for Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Weiner next explores the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003, a controversial move justified by the assertion that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a direct threat to the United States. The invasion was also framed as part of the broader strategy to promote democracy in the Middle East, with the belief that regime change in Iraq could serve as a catalyst for regional transformation.

The initial military campaign, dubbed “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” quickly overthrew Saddam’s regime, but the subsequent occupation revealed severe miscalculations. Weiner details the failures in planning for post-war reconstruction, the disbanding of the Iraqi military, and the rise of sectarian violence, which plunged Iraq into chaos. The inability to find WMDs damaged U.S. credibility, and the emergence of an insurgency complicated efforts to stabilize the country.

Weiner argues that the Iraq War, far from advancing U.S. strategic interests, instead served to empower Iran, destabilize the region, and fuel anti-American sentiment that terrorist groups like al-Qaeda exploited. The conflict also stretched U.S. military resources and diverted attention from the ongoing war in Afghanistan, where the Taliban resurgence was gaining momentum.

4. The Expansion of Counterterrorism Efforts:
In the wake of 9/11, the U.S. expanded its counterterrorism efforts globally, employing a range of tactics including drone strikes, special operations, and enhanced surveillance. Weiner examines the controversial aspects of these policies, such as the use of torture and indefinite detention at facilities like Guantanamo Bay, which drew international condemnation and sparked debates over civil liberties and human rights.

The chapter also explores the legal and ethical implications of the Bush administration’s actions, including the use of military tribunals and the broadening of executive powers under the Patriot Act. Weiner notes that these measures, while intended to enhance security, also raised questions about the balance between national security and the rule of law in a democratic society.

5. The Legacy of the War on Terror:
As the chapter progresses, Weiner reflects on the long-term consequences of the Global War on Terror. He discusses how the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with other counterterrorism operations, resulted in significant loss of life, both for U.S. forces and civilians in the affected regions. The financial costs of these wars were enormous, contributing to a growing national debt and prompting debates about the sustainability of U.S. military commitments abroad.

Weiner emphasizes that the War on Terror fundamentally altered the U.S. military and intelligence landscape, leading to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, increased defense spending, and a permanent shift toward counterterrorism as a central focus of U.S. national security. However, the outcomes of these efforts were mixed, with many of the root causes of terrorism, such as political instability and ideological extremism, remaining unresolved.

6. Shifts in U.S. Strategy and the Search for New Approaches:
The chapter concludes by examining the gradual shift in U.S. strategy under President Barack Obama, who sought to wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while focusing on targeted counterterrorism operations. Weiner notes that while Obama successfully ended the combat mission in Iraq and oversaw the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011, the broader challenges of the War on Terror persisted.

Weiner discusses the rise of new threats, such as the Islamic State (ISIS), which capitalized on the instability in Iraq and Syria to establish a self-declared caliphate. The emergence of ISIS demonstrated that despite significant efforts, the U.S. and its allies continued to struggle with the complexities of terrorism and the ever-evolving nature of global threats.

Conclusion:
Chapter 10 of “Folly and Glory” captures the profound impact of the 9/11 attacks on U.S. foreign policy, highlighting the challenges of combating terrorism in a globalized world. Weiner illustrates how the War on Terror reshaped America’s strategic outlook, leading to costly and often contentious military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq. The chapter underscores the difficulties of addressing non-state threats and the unintended consequences of U.S. interventions, which sometimes exacerbated the very problems they were intended to solve. As the U.S. grappled with these challenges, it faced the ongoing task of balancing security, liberty, and its role on the world stage in a complex and interconnected global landscape.