The articles, which are by Peter Hartcher and published by major Australian outlets, reflect on the 25-year aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. They argue that the US-led response—particularly the wars that followed—has involved extensive human and financial costs and have not delivered the lasting outcomes the attacks initially prompted.
The writers situate their discussion in Washington, DC, during the events’ immediate impact and then look forward across the subsequent decades. While the outlets do not present new reporting of specific operational developments, they frame the anniversary as a moment to assess whether the strategies adopted after 9/11 have met their stated goals.
Across the outlets, the differing emphasis is on perspective rather than facts: all focus on the long-term consequences of the post-9/11 wars, but they vary in how directly they characterize the campaign as “failed.” Together, the pieces present a critical review of the lessons drawn from 9/11 and how policy and security priorities evolve over time.
The common thread is an assessment of what the 25-year trajectory suggests about US counterterrorism and war-making decisions following the attacks.
