A War on Terror Accounting - WSJ
By: The Editorial Board (WSJ)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Americans are in a sour mood on this 20th anniversary of 9/11, in part because of President Biden's catastrophic withdrawal that finds the Taliban we deposed back in charge of Afghanistan. Was the entire war on terror a failure? The question is understandable, but as we remember the victims and heroes of that awful day, it's also worth noting what has been accomplished.
Start with the fact that America hasn't been struck with a comparable attack on the homeland since 9/11. As the 9/11 commission report noted, the jihadists had been at war with us for years, but we had refused to recognize it. There was every reason at the time to believe that our lack of vigilance had made us vulnerable to more such attacks, especially when the anthrax envelopes from an unknown source began arriving in mailboxes a week later.
The Bush Administration mobilized public support for an extraordinary response that went well beyond toppling the Taliban. U.S. intelligence was revamped so the FBI and CIA actually talked to one another. Terrorists were killed or, better, captured and interrogated to gain information that could prevent the next attack. The al Qaeda network that planned the 9/11 attacks was largely broken up.
The supposed excesses of U.S. surveillance are vastly overstated. The privacy of Americans hasn’t been threatened, while the Patriot Act has provided the feds with tools to break up domestic terror cells. The biggest intelligence failure concerned weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The worst surveillance violation of recent decades had nothing to do with terrorism. It was the FBI’s 2016 spying on the Trump campaign and lying to the FISA court.
It’s also dogma to deride the prison at Guantanamo, but the alternative was handling hundreds of enemy combatants in civilian courts under rules that made extended interrogation far more difficult. The hindsight brigade forgets how much we didn’t know at the time about the jihadist threat, its relation to state sponsors, and where they might strike next.
There are fewer prisoners at Gitmo now because four U.S. administrations have released most of them, and President Obama in particular preferred to kill terrorists from afar with drones. Some of the released are now Taliban leaders, and there’s every reason to believe they will resume plotting against Americans.
The other post-9/11 change in strategy was to pursue the terrorists overseas, to keep them on defense so they found it harder to attack us at home. This has largely succeeded. Afghanistan ceased being a jihadist sanctuary, and the U.S. attacked enclaves in Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and the Philippines.
Contrary to progressive myth, the U.S. has typically done this with the cooperation of local allies. Kenya has helped against al Shabaab in Somalia, and the Kurds in Syria and Iraq. The security disaster of Afghanistan is that we will no longer have a local ally to help with intelligence.
Yes, we know: The interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan were done at tremendous cost and with a strategy that arguably overreached. The debates over invading Iraq and nation-building will rage on. But the invasion of Afghanistan had to be done to pursue al Qaeda, and the mistakes were made later, though again we don’t recall good alternatives being offered over the last 20 years. Mr. Biden’s alternative of willy-nilly withdrawal has demonstrably been worse.
As for Iraq, after the 2007 surge defeated the Sunni and Iranian-backed insurgencies, the biggest U.S. antiterror blunder was withdrawing all troops in 2011 and letting Islamic State form its caliphate. President Obama had to send thousands of Americans back to Iraq to prevent the fall of Baghdad and break up what became another global threat. Let’s hope that history doesn’t repeat itself in Afghanistan.
There have been other mistakes. The government reorganization into a new Department of Homeland Security was rearranging the bureaucratic furniture, as these exercises usually are. The creation of the Director of National Intelligence has been worse. The idea of intelligence coordination might have worked with a small group. But John Negroponte, the first director, created a vast bureaucracy that largely duplicated the analytical side of the CIA and further diluted accountability.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment has been the fracturing of America’s domestic political consensus on national security. It began as Democrats turned on the Iraq war when the going got tough, then moved to a political assault on interrogations and surveillance. Now the left, and many on the Trump right, have joined in opposition to forward American military deployments.
This is dangerous because after Afghanistan the terror threat is likely to return. Thomas Joscelyn of the Long War Journal has documented the extensive ties between the Taliban and al Qaeda. The Haqqani Network, a U.S. designated terror group, is running Taliban security. The talk in jihadist chatrooms since the fall of Kabul is that Americans are retreating in defeat and can now be pursued at home.
An F/A-18C Hornet aircraft is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in preparation for strikes against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, October 7, 2001.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
The saving grace of 9/11 was the demonstration of American courage and resilience. First and foremost were the firefighters and others who sacrificed their lives. But the country also united for a time in political purpose to stand up the antiterror tools that have protected against another mass-casualty attack.
If another attack comes, perhaps with bioweapons that kill like Covid-19, would we have the same resolve and resilience?
History suggests that we are going to find out.
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When we look back on all the US has done under 4 presidents, we have to give at least 3 of them a passing grade.
The question at the end of the article will soon be answered.
And which gets the failing grade vic? And why? What criteria, personal opinion doesn't count.
Which one, huh?
The man who wanted to use today for a photo-op. Instead he will be silent today.
The why is obvious.
"President Biden on Saturday will visit the three sites of the 9/11 terror attacks – New York City, Virginia and Pennsylvania – to mark their 20th anniversary but is not scheduled to give public remarks or a speech.
Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be joined by former President Obama in Lower Manhattan, where terrorists on Sept 11, 2001, slammed a hijacked jetline into each of the World Trade Centers Twin Towers.
The president will deliver a prerecorded message Saturday, instead of a live address.
Biden was Obama’s vice president for both terms, which ended in 2016. Biden was a senator at the time of the attacks.
Biden after taking office earlier this year, and as the anniversary of the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people neared, had been asked by hundreds of 9/11 families not to attend 20th anniversary events because he had not declassified government evidence beforehand that could link Saudi Arabia to the attack."
Aside from the 97 year old Jimmy Carter, there is only one living president or ex president who is not taking part in the official ceremonies commemorating the dead from 9-11 on the 20th anniversary today.
Care to guess which ex president that is Vic?
That's so typical isn't it? Everything is optics and sound bites.
That's why Biden's poll numbers are sinking like a rock.
Trump has been lying about things around the periphery of 9/11 for 20 years, so maybe deep in the recesses of his mind he thinks it would be hypocritical of him to show up at the ceremony in NY this morning.
It's about Biden and those who voted for him starting with those who knew he was not up to the job. He has made quites a mess already. If there is another terror attack on American soil it will be on their hands.
I know some didn't know how far gone he was, but many on the left did!
This is absolutely NOT what the seeded article is about. This is what is rolling around in your noggin 24/7.
You dont speak for America Vic, you are a political extremist.
Then there is this:
"During the debacle in the withdraw from Afghanistan, the Biden Administration claimed to have killed an “ISIS-K Planner” but curiously refused to give his name despite repeated media requests. It was odd because clearly he knew about it as did his colleagues. Ten innocent people (rather than three claimed by the Administration) appear to have also died in the attack. However, now the New York Times reports that we may have vaporized an innocent person who was loading water rather than munitions into his car. Indeed, the newspaper suggests that he is a former U.S. Aid worker. If so, the report could trigger a compensation demand. We just discussed such compensation system in my Torts class."
It's clearly isn't about "Trump."
This is what is rolling around in your noggin 24/7.
Wow! Says the guy who injects Trump into every seed and posted false info about him for 4 years!
You dont speak for America Vic, you are a political extremist.
No John, YOU ARE!
Vic I have made thousands of comments that are not about Trump and written or seeded hundreds of articles that are not about Trump. You basically stay within the comfort and safety of you attack articles on Biden and "the left" which you only post in a group where you can delete comments you dont like.
You keep asking why people dont rush to defend Biden - defend from what? A bunch of nonsense?
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Today is the 20th anniversary of 9-11. What say you about the many lies Trump has told about the day? Trump said at a Republican debate in 2016 that he lost "hundreds" of friends at the World Trade Center on 9/11 2001, and yet when asked by journalists for the names of a few, he has yet to identify a single one. This is the man you so deeply admire and wish was still in office. That is not my problem, its your problem.
So now its Biden fault because an individual Afghani was killed by Americans by mistake?
Try and get a grip.
Most of that is false. I post a good deal of my articles in the open even though I was asked to use the group forum. Do you know why? So the bad actors on here get the tickets they deserve with points. As for you: YOU DO BRING TRUMP UP CONSTANTLY AND EVERYONE CAN SEE IT. I believe it is part of that unbridled hate the left has for him. That hate isn't based on tweets - it is based on the fact that he was the return to normalcy!
You keep asking why people dont rush to defend Biden - defend from what? A bunch of nonsense?
You can't and you don't really care about Biden. Harris would be pushing the same rasdical agenda. That's what our lefties care about!
Today is the 20th anniversary of 9-11.
And when will you observe it?
What say you about the many lies Trump has told about the day?
Right back to Trump! Just listen to yourself!
He was a strong leader and did exactly what the country needed, short of removing the leftist professors from the university.
Trump said at a Republican debate in 2016 that he lost "hundreds" of friends at the World Trade Center on 9/11 2001, and yet when asked by journalists for the names of a few, he has yet to identify a single one. This is the man you so deeply admire and wish was still in office. That is not my problem, its your problem.
He might have lost 10 or 20 friends. So what John? The article is about all that happened since 9/11, starting with the Bush doctine of fighting them over there rather than having to fight them here and culminating with Biden's cowardly withdrawl, which will have consequeces.
That's the real problem.
It's Biden's fault because he made a promise to retaliate for the avoidable murder of 13 Marines (one was Navy). He obviously authorized any drone strike that would make it look like he did something about it.
He also left Americans behind and was so fucking stupid that he removed the military before he removed the civilians.
Do you care?
Trump was not seen at a single 9-11 funeral. He has not named a single friend he lost on 9-11. He's a liar.
I am willing to accept that people have different beliefs about policies. And , usually, laws and bill must encompass compromise. I dont object to Trump because of his policies per se, but rather because he is the worst America has to offer and his presence in politics has degraded our country. That is not the case with Biden, far from it.
So you dont approve of Bidens policies? Who gives a fuck? He is president. If you dont like it try and win the next presidential election.
You are silent on huge issues. Silent. Where was your condemnantion of Trump trying to bribe the president of a foriegn nation? Where was your condemnantion of Trump lying to the American people thousands of times? Where was your condemnantion of his absurd "Big Lie" that the election was stolen from him, which he continues to whine about to this minute? Where was your condemnation of the racist motivated Jan 6 insurrection?
You are missing in action .
The death of any individual Afghani, by mistake, is not Bidens fault. It is absurd to say it is.
We don't know if any of those killed had anthing to do with the Taliban, ISIS or any other group. The Biden administration won't release a single name!
So what?
He's a liar.
No, the Daily Beast and most of the msm are liars.
I am willing to accept that people have different beliefs about policies. And , usually, laws and bill must encompass compromise. I dont object to Trump because of his policies per se, but rather because he is the worst America has to offer and his presence in politics has degraded our country. That is not the case with Biden, far from it.
Oh ya, Biden was so good that they had to hide him away during the entire 2020 campaign.
So you dont approve of Bidens policies?
Yes John, and that should be priority 1 for any voter.
You are silent on huge issues. Silent. Where was your condemnantion of Trump trying to bribe the president of a foriegn nation?
That was a huge issue? I didn't hear any bribe. BTW what happened to Biden's conversation with Ghani, when Biden asked him to lie about the Afghan army? What happened to that story? Should he be impeached? Neither one of those stories rises to the level of a "huge issie."
Where was your condemnantion of Trump lying to the American people thousands of times?
I didn't see him do that. I saw many including you twisting his words. Then again, when Biden lies people here defend him with "all politicians lie."
Where was your condemnantion of his absurd "Big Lie" that the election was stolen from him, which he continues to whine about to this minute?
If you recall I said he was entitled to his opinion.
Where was your condemnation of the racist motivated Jan 6 insurrection?
I would never use Pelosi's label as it being an "insurection." I did refer to it as a riot.
You are missing in action .
Your priorities leave a lot to be desired.
Unlike some of the others, so called moderates, I dont adhere to the pretense that we can reach compromise with people like you. Your Trumpism ideology has to be removed from American discourse.
I hear ya on that. That is laughable.
I dont adhere to the pretense that we can reach compromise with people like you.
I think we understand each other. As Abraham Lincoln pointed out in his House Divided speech - It can only become one or the other. It will either remain the United States or it will become the leftist utopia which you advocate for. There is no compromise!
Your Trumpism ideology has to be removed from American discourse.
Your evil ideology will be removed from American society.
Is Biden CiC?
Did he give the green light to the operation?
Taken from post 1.1.7
Wonder who the Biden administration was listening to for getting the target they attacked? Could have it been the Taliban? Since Biden trusts them so damn much; and has been heaping such praise on them for their cooperation.
Yes, Biden is at fault! Damn the left in this country are sickening. Biden isn't responsible for anything in leftist land.
Oh shit, we got a texan here (never actually done anything) going in on patriotism! So texan who has no patriotic credentials, tell us how bad libs are! Saw that shit from 500 yards away.
Yeah, I am bout halfway through the training you wish you did.
What are patriotic credentials?
Perfect damned if he does, damned if he don't situation with the left...
there's already been a terrorist attack against america, when biden was president elect. it happened on 1/6/21 in DC.
Oh a you tube video. Are we already down to that?
How about defending the default vessel you wanted to be president?
Don't forget the big one! Delivered by the CCP in early 2020!
I will say, it depends on the totality of the circumstances when someone gets shot.
No, that was a riot. The same as every BLM and Antifa "mostly peaceful protests" were riots. No matter how much TDS driver assholes claim otherwise.
9/11 was a terrorist attack. Seems that another one must take place for the left to learn the damn difference. Don't worry, with Afghanistan now a terrorist training ground again thanks to Sleepy China Joe Biden, I am sure we will get to witness another one sooner or later.
... and then incompetently bungled by the resident of the white house.
I guess he made two mistakes: He listened to Dr Fauci and he didn't use his magic wand.
no, those 2 mistakes were the prior dismantling of the pandemic response team and then failing to acknowledge the pandemic for 6+ months. "it will be over by easter 2020"
What a dishonest comment.
One which you had to alter
??? I'm no trumpster...
You are a progressive
Nothing new there.
As been talked about repeatedly, this is only partially true. It was more of a re-org from my understanding.
He wasn't the only "leader" who did so. What was their excuse?
... a western liberal, that owns guns, and sees the christo-fascist klan as domestic terrorists.
You left out "A self described"
I'd describe it much differently.
Stop the trolling.
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Two hit and run attacks on the man they hate.
Is this why Ms Aubrey took a hiatus from NT?
Is this why people are reluctant to join the conversation?
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Maybe it is the leftists attacking everyone that doesn't follow their narrow minded dogma on this site.
...almost everyone are considered far left of trumpsters.
bullseye.
I am a Trumpster? Try the hell again. Can't stand the guy; and I have stated repeatedly I hope he doesn't run again; and if he does he loses the Republican primary.
If it does come down to Trump or whatever POS the Democrats put forward- doesn't matter if it is Sleepy China Joe Biden; or On her knees Harris- I will vote for Trump. Because like I was repeatedly told by the left after the 2016 election; voting third party is a waste of a vote. It is the lesser of two evils for me from now on; and the Democrats are the most evil vile things on the planet after the last five and a half years and counting.
By the way- you even admit you are a western liberal in post 1.2.14; that by definition makes you a leftist; and a far leftist at that.
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Bingo, we have a winner!
Vic Eldred wrote: "Is this why people are reluctant to join the conversation?"
It just gets kinda pointless dealing with a small subset of poorly educated and closed mind left wing radicals who spew multiple untruths and illogical bullshit on a daily basis. Not worth getting the tickets.
That was the big blunder!
People regularly demonstrate that you are wrong Greg. As in every day.
Says who?
The so called War on Terror started long before the last four presidents. It was building for years and we did next to nothing to stop it.
The term "war on terror" refers to our response, so I don't understand your comment.
The beginning of what we are experiencing today was in Lebanon in the 1980s. The bombing of the US Embassy killed 63 including 17 US citizens followed by the Marine Corps barracks bombing that killed 241 US service members of which 220 were US Marines and another 100 plus injured.
We did nothing to retaliate and pulled out of Lebanon a few months later.
So at that time there was no war on terror. Do you see what I mean? You said: The so called War on Terror started long before the last four presidents.
The bombing in Lebanon lead to the so called War on Terror starting on 9/11. We did nothing which was a response that the terrorist seized on and where we are at today.
There was a war alright and it was the terrorist that attacked, sadly we did nothing.
You see what I mean?
Actually it didn't. You may recall other incidents that went unanswered, like the bombing of the World Trade Center. Still that is much different than your original statement in post 3.
There was a war alright and it was the terrorist that attacked, sadly we did nothing.
There were many such incidents. The war on terror began when we finally responded.
You see what I mean?
NO
Lebanon was the start, if you want to believe it was or wasn't is of no concern to me.
It was not the start of the war on terror that you claimed. It may have been one of the first teror attacks on the US, other than Iranian seige of the US embassy in November of 1979, but it was not part of the war on terror. The war on terror began after 9/11.
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Pretty simple comment and accurate.
It's light years away from what you said originally.
LOL, you really don't get it or don't want to get it.
I think everyone understands. You wanted to introduce something, but you made the mistake of calling it the start of the war on terror. And you can't undo it.
To our readers be you many or few and I truly hope that on this day you are few, that you do not reel in disgust as some choose this day to further divide with their Victriole ... they will one day soon be a cloud of unknowing dust justly unremembered.
May all read the thread and note exactly who they were
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Meta [Vic Eldred]
No, that one was a PERSONAL ATTACK.