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What was the goal of the September 11, 2001 Al Qaeda attack and why it failed.
Intended Goals vs. Actual Outcomes

1. Weaken the U.S. economy and sow fear

• Goal: Cripple American financial strength by destroying the World Trade Center and shaking investor confidence.
• Reality: The stock market fell sharply at first, but the U.S. economy rebounded. The attacks united Americans and consumer confidence returned more quickly than al-Qaeda expected. Instead of weakening the U.S., it reinforced a spirit of national resilience.

2. Force U.S. military retreat from the Middle East

• Goal: Push American forces out of Saudi Arabia and other Muslim lands.
• Reality: The opposite happened. The U.S. launched the War in Afghanistan (removing the Taliban regime that sheltered al-Qaeda) and later the War in Iraq. American presence in the region expanded dramatically.

3. Rally Muslims worldwide to jihad

• Goal: Inspire millions of Muslims to join al-Qaeda’s fight, portraying themselves as defenders of Islam against the “West.”
• Reality: While some extremists were radicalized, most Muslim-majority nations condemned the attacks. Support for al-Qaeda among Muslims dropped as their violence caused mass Muslim civilian casualties in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

4. Divide the U.S. and its allies

• Goal: Split NATO and weaken international coalitions.
• Reality: NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time in history: “An attack on one is an attack on all.” Dozens of nations supported U.S. operations in Afghanistan. Rather than divide, the attacks initially strengthened alliances.

5. Create a long-term Islamic Caliphate

• Goal: Topple secular governments in the Muslim world and restore a caliphate.
• Reality: Al-Qaeda was severely degraded and Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011. ISIS later tried to fill the gap with its own caliphate, but it too was militarily crushed.

Summary

Al-Qaeda wanted to bring America down. Instead, the attacks:

• Unified Americans in grief, pride, and patriotism.
• Expanded U.S. global influence (military, intelligence, alliances).
• Reinforced American values: resilience, freedom, and unity in the face of tragedy.

The terrorists of 9/11 thought they could break America. Instead, they awakened it. Every flag flying today is proof they failed… a symbol of resilience, unity, and strength that no enemy could destroy.”