September 11 and American Unilateralism
Nigerian Forum, Vol. 23, Nos. 5-6, pp. 133-142, 2002
13 Pages Posted: 12 Mar 2012
Date Written: May/June 2002
Abstract
On September 11, 2001, al Queada successfully attacked key American installations. This will be the first time in modern American history that a successful attack was launched on its territory. The significance of the September 11 attack goes beyond its military imports for America. This paper argues that the September 11 attack alter the trajectory of international political relations in several ways. In the first instance, September 11 brought to the fore the devastating impact irregular warfare could have on inter-states relations. Secondly, the study points out how September 11 galvanized America, a reluctant hegemon in the pre-September 11 era, into becoming a more aggressive and assertive superpower. The study further shows how the United States' war on terror has altered inter-states relations in South East Asia and the Middle East. The paper's conclusion is that the US will use the war on terror to advance its political, economic and strategic interests in the international political system.
Keywords: September 11, terrorism, international politics, Osama Bin Ladin
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation