9/11/08

Seven years ago today America was attacked. Today we pause to look back and honor those who died as well as those who struggled and sacrificed to defend us on that day and ever since. As we look back, it is worth remembering how seven years ago the world rose united in grief and support, and how Americans rose to support each other and to turn new attention to foreign affairs. Le Monde, the preeminent French newspaper, declared ‘we are all Americans;’ flowers were laid at American embassies around the world; NATO nations declared that an attack on one was an attack on all; and a single village in Kenya gave 14 cows to the American embassy in a sign of solidarity and support. Here at home, Americans from all parts of the country and from all walks of life sought to help their fellow citizens. Many volunteered, donated blood, joined the armed forces, or simply gave a neighbor a helping hand.

But today is also a chance to look forward – to the many challenges we confront today and above all to the challenge of regaining the spirit of unity in the face of common problems that makes us resilient as Americans and as the keystone of a broader global community.

First national memorial remembering the victims of 9-11 opens today at the Pentagon. “The nation's first major Sept. 11 memorial is being unveiled today at the Pentagon to mark the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania. The two-acre site features 184 steel benches, one for each of the people who died when a plane crashed into the Pentagon.” [Washington Post, 9/11/08]

New York commemorates 9-11 with four moments of silence. “New York has paused to remember the times two planes struck the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001 - an attack that killed nearly 3,000 people. Four moments of silence are being held to mark the times when four hijacked passenger planes hit the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.” [BBC, 9/11/08]

The world stood united in support of the United States following 9-11. From the pages of Le Monde to Masai villages in Kenya, after the attacks on September 11, 2001, people everywhere showed their support for America.

• German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder described the attacks as a “declaration of war against the civilized world.”
• In Ireland, a national day of mourning was held.
• French President Jacques Chirac said that the French “are entirely with the American people.”
• “China expressed its ‘horror’ at the terrorist attack, and President Jiang Zemin sent a message of sympathy to President Bush and the victims.”

Numerous international challenges confront the United States on seventh anniversary of 9-11 attacks.

• Afghanistan: In a grim acknowledgement of the challenges facing the U.S. in the place where the terrorist threat is greatest, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen commented yesterday: "I am not convinced that we're winning it in Afghanistan.”

• Iraq: Despite welcome decreases in violence, storms gather on the horizon and political progress remains stalled. The status of the deeply contested city of Kirkuk remains unresolved; the oil law has been shelved due to “political bickering;” provincial elections have been postponed; and worst of all, the Sons of Iraq threaten to plunge the country into renewed violence unless their claims to power are satisfied.

• Strained Military: Burdened by wars on two fronts, the U.S. military struggles to regain its capacity to counter threats. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Cody stated that the readiness of the army “is in tatters.” The Foreign Policy\CNAS Military Index – a survey of 3,400 current and retired military service members – found that 60% of those surveyed believed the military to be weaker today than it was 5 years ago.

• Fracturing Coalition: Japanese forces may be pulled out of Iraq by year-end, although Japanese “determination to support Iraq will not change.” Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that all Canadian forces will withdraw from Afghanistan by 2011.

• Defiant Russia: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has strongly defended Russian actions in Georgia as the Russian Foreign Minister warns Poland over its support of the U.S. missile defense shield, calling its actions a “very dangerous game.” Two Russian bombers also landed in Venezuela yesterday for training flights, their first appearance in the Western Hemisphere since the Cold War.

 

Quick Hits

Iraq has cancelled the six no-bid oil contracts that met with strong opposition from the United States.

Philip Bobbitt has an op-ed in which he asks twelve national security questions that each presidential candidate should answer; one has already done so.

President Bush is said to have given authorization to allow U.S. Special Forces to stage ground assaults independent of the Pakistani government. Pakistan’s army chief criticized the decision, adding that Pakistan will defend its sovereignty.

The assassination of a prominent member of the Lebanese Democratic Party less than a week before reconciliation talks has shaken unity efforts between warring factions.

As expected, Thailand’s ruling party has re-nominated ex-Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to succeed himself despite objections from coalition partners.

As questions remain about Kim Jong-il’s health, North Korea has almost completed a new missile launch site near the Chinese border.

The World Bank has ended its efforts to help reduce poverty in Chad; though the government repaid its loans, the World Bank noted that Chad failed to distribute wealth accrued and truly ease poverty for its citizens, siphoning money to corrupt officials instead.

Haiti continues to suffer in the aftermath of four major storms.

Amid deteriorating relations, Bolivia has asked the U.S. ambassador to leave the country.

A large, 7.0 earthquake has rocked northern Japan and resulted in a small, harmless tsunami.

Construction of the U.S.-Mexico border fence has been delayed and will not be completed this year.