Counterterrorism Analyst Oz Sultan was supposed to be in the World Trade Centre tower on September 11, 2001

September 11 or 9/11, marks twenty years since the world changed forever. It’s been two decades since the deadly terrorist attacks covered New York City in terror.

“Sheer horror, sheer panic, is what most Americans felt.”

“As an American-Muslim, it had been difficult enough dealing with Islamaphobia. No one knows the difference between a god-faring Muslim and these cultists.”

Oz Sultan, Counterterrorism Analyst

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September 11, 2001

In a mind flash, most people can tell you where they were and what they were doing when the attacks occurred.

The September 11 attacks were a series of airline hijackings and suicide attacks performed by nineteen militants associated with the Islamic extremist group, al-Queda.

Four commercial airliners were hijacked mid-flight by the terrorists. The first plane was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The second plane hit the South Tower seventeen minutes later.

Both towers collapsed, blanketing New York City in rubble and debris of the 110 story buildings. The third plane crashed into the Pentagon and the fourth had an unsuccessful attempt at reaching The White House.

Now, that time has passed, there is a whole generation that doesn’t have that “I remember” moment. However, fast forward to today, the terror threat posed by extremist terror groups still lingers.

Fears for another 9/11 terror attack

The United States formally responded to the 9/11 attacks by invading Afghanistan and claiming the al-Queda leaders, who were behind it.

The United States successfully did this, but then spent twenty years in the region, to restore democracy and to depose the Taliban. However, the Taliban is back.

Questions now loom over the Taliban’s intentions, their fuel for revenge, their relations with extremist groups, and the potential for more terrorist attacks.

“The terror threat is actually higher now.”

“It’s cost us $2 trillion, and ended up making us far less secure than we were twenty years ago.”

“The nature of terror has changed, the terrorist organisations are now working together.”

“ISIS-K has plenty of money, the Taliban has millions.”

” Biden has set the stage for geopolitics that are unlike any danger we’ve had since World War II”

Oz Sultan, Counterterrorism Analyst

The United States is no longer in Afghanistan to monitor perceived threats and keep extremist groups at bay. There are now concerns about whether their intelligence is equipped to deal with developed extremist groups now.

Now that we live in a digital world, Sultan explains future attacks will vary between physical, financial, and cyber.

“We’re going to have physical attacks, online recruitment challenges that are coming from this, and we’re going to have cyber attacks.”

Oz Sultan, Counterterrorism Analyst 

“Younger generations are being approached and radicalised online, from every avenue.”

Oz Sultan, Counterterrorism Analyst

China VS the United States

People have been fearing China’s willingness to resume friendly relations with the Taliban. Now China has pledged 200 million Yuan worth of aid to Afghanistan, including food supplies and COVID vaccines.

The aid comes as Beijing says it is ready to maintain communication with the Taliban Government. It says the establishment of the new interim government was a “necessary step to restore order” in Afghanistan.

Chinese Foreign Minister says the aid measures will include three million vaccine doses to the country. The Taliban’s interim cabinet was announced last week, with the country declared an “Islamic Emirate”.

United States President Joe Biden, says the country is still a “long way off” from recognising the Taliban Government.

So, is this a bold move from China to ensure they’re not the victims of any future terror attacks? 

More divided than ever before

9/11 created a religious divide like never before. Extremists’ goal is to create fear, divide, and hatred. So from this perspective, they might have won.

Oz Sultan served as the interfaith coordinator for the ground zero mosque, where the towers once stood. He explains the long-term impacts for people who experienced September 11, 2001, are unimaginable.

“For New Yorkers especially, it’s been traumatic.”

“In the faith communities, it’s a shock. What President Biden has done is basically told the Muslim world not only do you not matter, but we’re legitimising a cult which you’re now going to have to deal with.”

Oz Sultan, Counterterrorism Analyst