The twenty-fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks is an opportunity to revisit one of the biggest changes in the concept of American national security; a change that began in 2001, during which international terrorism, especially Al-Qaeda and later ISIS, were recognized as the main threats to this country. But the question arises: Are these threats today only from foreign groups, or have new dangers emerged from within America itself?
Developments After September 11
The September 11 attacks not only led to profound changes in U.S. security policies but also fostered the emergence of a new social and cultural atmosphere. Over the years, the U.S. government has attempted to prevent the recurrence of such events by adopting stringent security measures. However, over time, some of these measures have become tools for controlling and monitoring society.
New Dangers Within Society
In the past two decades, we have witnessed the emergence of domestic extremist groups that are heavily influenced by extremist ideologies. These groups, especially in the online space, can easily recruit members and pose threats to national security. Does this mean that today's threats arise not only from outside but also from within?
In light of these developments, the questions that arise for society and officials are whether current security policies are capable of addressing these new threats. Is it not time to take a fresh look at our security and social strategies? It seems that September 11 should be seen as a reminder of the hidden dangers from both within and without, allowing us to address today's threats with greater scrutiny.
