The Road to 9/11The Road to 9/11

Thinking SkillThinking Skill: Explicitly assess : Explicitly assess information and draw conclusionsinformation and draw conclusions

ObjectiveObjective: To gain a better : To gain a better understanding of the events that led understanding of the events that led to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their overall long term impact on US overall long term impact on US history and foreign policyhistory and foreign policy

Early Roots - The Road to Early Roots - The Road to 9/119/11 Osama Bin Laden -who was he?Osama Bin Laden -who was he?

““Radical” *– (extreme) Islam—on the rise—why/who did the Radical” *– (extreme) Islam—on the rise—why/who did the message appeal to?message appeal to?

al-Qaeda – “The base”al-Qaeda – “The base” WTC ‘93—legacy of that attackWTC ‘93—legacy of that attack KSM - planes operation, Who knew?KSM - planes operation, Who knew? USS ColeUSS Cole and other pre-911 events, 1990s terrorism and and other pre-911 events, 1990s terrorism and

other al-Qaeda attacks—big picture not apparent until laterother al-Qaeda attacks—big picture not apparent until later Bin Laden’s 1996 declaration against US, Clinton, Bin Laden’s 1996 declaration against US, Clinton,

presidential intelligencepresidential intelligence Declaration of WarDeclaration of War ““Planes operation” details, planning, trainingPlanes operation” details, planning, training

**note: the term “radical” is arguably misused by the medianote: the term “radical” is arguably misused by the media

Know the difference Know the difference between…between…

Taliban vs. al-Qaeda, What's the difference?Taliban vs. al-Qaeda, What's the difference? Bin Laden vs. other terrorist leadersBin Laden vs. other terrorist leaders Al-Qaeda vs. specific nationsAl-Qaeda vs. specific nations Iraq vs. AfghanistanIraq vs. Afghanistan War on Terror vs. War in IraqWar on Terror vs. War in Iraq Sadaam Hussein vs. Osama Bin LadenSadaam Hussein vs. Osama Bin Laden Fact vs. fiction surrounding events of Fact vs. fiction surrounding events of

9/11/01 (conspiracy theories, etc.)9/11/01 (conspiracy theories, etc.) Perceived threats to terror vs. actual attacks Perceived threats to terror vs. actual attacks ““911” was the emergency code long before 911” was the emergency code long before

20012001

Al-Qaeda -- “The Base”Al-Qaeda -- “The Base”StrategyStrategy

1.1. Provoke the United States into invading a Muslim Provoke the United States into invading a Muslim country. country.

2.2. Incite local resistance to occupying forces. Incite local resistance to occupying forces. 3.3. Expand the conflict to neighboring countries, and Expand the conflict to neighboring countries, and

engage the U.S. in a long war of attrition. engage the U.S. in a long war of attrition. 4.4. Convert al-Qaeda into an ideology and set of Convert al-Qaeda into an ideology and set of

operating principles that can be adopted in other operating principles that can be adopted in other countries. Incite attacks against countries allied countries. Incite attacks against countries allied with the U.S. until they withdraw from the with the U.S. until they withdraw from the conflict. conflict.

5.5. The U.S. economy will finally collapse The U.S. economy will finally collapse

Refuge in AfghanistanRefuge in Afghanistan

Throughout the 1990s, a new force began Throughout the 1990s, a new force began to emerge. The origins of the Taliban to emerge. The origins of the Taliban (literally "students") lay in the children (literally "students") lay in the children of Afghanistan, many of them orphaned of Afghanistan, many of them orphaned by the war, and many of whom had by the war, and many of whom had been educated in the rapidly expanding been educated in the rapidly expanding network of Islamic schools (madrassas) network of Islamic schools (madrassas) either in Kandahar or in the refugee either in Kandahar or in the refugee camps on the Afghan-Pakistani border.camps on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

Osama Bin LadenOsama Bin Laden

Young Bin Laden in Oxford, Young Bin Laden in Oxford, 1970s (far right)1970s (far right)

22ndnd from right- 1971 from right- 1971 SwedenSweden

War declared on US in the War declared on US in the 1990s1990s

On February 23, 1998 -- bin Laden called On February 23, 1998 -- bin Laden called on Muslims to kill Americans and their on Muslims to kill Americans and their allies where they can, when they can. allies where they can, when they can. They declared:They declared:

““[T]he ruling to kill the Americans and [T]he ruling to kill the Americans and their allies—civilians and military—is an their allies—civilians and military—is an individual duty for every Muslim who can individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible do it in any country in which it is possible to do it”to do it”

al-Qaeda attacksal-Qaeda attacks

Map of major attacks attributed to al-Qaeda:Map of major attacks attributed to al-Qaeda:1. 1. The Pentagon, USThe Pentagon, US – Sep 11, 2001 – Sep 11, 20012. 2. World Trade Center, USWorld Trade Center, US – Sep 11, 2001 – Sep 11, 20013. 3. Istanbul, TurkeyIstanbul, Turkey – Nov 15, 2003; Nov 20, 2003 – Nov 15, 2003; Nov 20, 20034. 4. Aden, YemenAden, Yemen – Oct 12, 2000 – Oct 12, 20005. 5. Nairobi, KenyaNairobi, Kenya – Aug 7, 1998 – Aug 7, 1998

6. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Aug 7, 19986. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Aug 7, 1998

The The USS Cole BombingUSS Cole Bombing, or the , or the USS Cole USS Cole IncidentIncident, was a suicide attack on October 12, , was a suicide attack on October 12, 2000 while it was harbored and refueled in the 2000 while it was harbored and refueled in the Yemeni port of Aden. Seventeen American sailors Yemeni port of Aden. Seventeen American sailors were killed, and 39 were injured. This event was were killed, and 39 were injured. This event was the deadliest attack against a United States Naval the deadliest attack against a United States Naval vessel since 1987.vessel since 1987.

First WTC attempt – 1993 – First WTC attempt – 1993 – Ramzi Yousef Ramzi Yousef

1993 WTC1993 WTC Feb.26 1993 - Feb.26 1993 - The first major Islamist terrorist The first major Islamist terrorist

attack within the US: the original World Trade attack within the US: the original World Trade Center bombingCenter bombing is carried out by Ramzi Yousef and is carried out by Ramzi Yousef and associates from the Alkhifa Center in Brooklyn. associates from the Alkhifa Center in Brooklyn. Hoping to kill thousands by toppling the North Tower Hoping to kill thousands by toppling the North Tower onto the South, the group detonates a 1500-pound onto the South, the group detonates a 1500-pound bomb concealed in a rental van in a parking garage bomb concealed in a rental van in a parking garage beneath the towers. The blast and the smoke from beneath the towers. The blast and the smoke from the resulting fires kill six people and injure about the resulting fires kill six people and injure about 1000. The $5000 terrorist operation does $300 1000. The $5000 terrorist operation does $300 million worth of damage, but the towers remain million worth of damage, but the towers remain standing. During the well-conducted investigation standing. During the well-conducted investigation into the bombing, US officials get their first glimpses into the bombing, US officials get their first glimpses into the activities of Muslim extremists, though for into the activities of Muslim extremists, though for several years they have only a vague understanding several years they have only a vague understanding of the threat. of the threat.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

““the planes operation”the planes operation” 1994- Using airline timetables, Khalid Sheikh 1994- Using airline timetables, Khalid Sheikh

Mohammed and Ramzi Yousef devised a scheme Mohammed and Ramzi Yousef devised a scheme whereby five men could, in a single day, board 12 whereby five men could, in a single day, board 12 flights — two each for three of the men, three each flights — two each for three of the men, three each for the other two — assemble and deposit their for the other two — assemble and deposit their bombs and exit the planes, leaving timers to ignite bombs and exit the planes, leaving timers to ignite the bombs up to several days afterward. By the the bombs up to several days afterward. By the time the bombs exploded, the men would be far time the bombs exploded, the men would be far away and far from reasonable suspicion. The math away and far from reasonable suspicion. The math was simple: 12 flights with at least 400 people per was simple: 12 flights with at least 400 people per flight. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000 flight. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000 deaths. It would be a day of glory for them, deaths. It would be a day of glory for them, calamity for the Americans they supposed would calamity for the Americans they supposed would fill the aircraft." fill the aircraft."

By late 2000 and By late 2000 and early 2001, the early 2001, the training of pilots training of pilots and “muscle and “muscle hijackers” is well hijackers” is well underway for underway for

what would become what would become

the September 11the September 11thth “planes operation” “planes operation”

Much of the training took place Much of the training took place in our own countryin our own country

Dec.29-30 2000 - Near Miami, Atta Dec.29-30 2000 - Near Miami, Atta and al-Shehhi practice on a flight and al-Shehhi practice on a flight simulator that has New York City’s simulator that has New York City’s topography stored in it.  “It’s an topography stored in it.  “It’s an absolute possibility that (they).. absolute possibility that (they).. practiced running into the World practiced running into the World Trade Center.”  Trade Center.” 

A failure of intelligence?A failure of intelligence? Mar 2001 -The Russian UN mission submits an Mar 2001 -The Russian UN mission submits an

“unprecedentedly detailed report” to the UN Security “unprecedentedly detailed report” to the UN Security Council on bin Laden’s whereabouts, al-Qaeda’s Council on bin Laden’s whereabouts, al-Qaeda’s organization, and Pakistan’s involvement in organization, and Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan.  The US evidently does nothing with the Afghanistan.  The US evidently does nothing with the intelligence. intelligence. This is just one of several lost This is just one of several lost opportunities to connect the dots in time pre 9-opportunities to connect the dots in time pre 9-1111

Summer 2001 -- FAA receives 52 specific Summer 2001 -- FAA receives 52 specific warnings about Bin Laden, Al Qaeda. 5 mention warnings about Bin Laden, Al Qaeda. 5 mention hijackers, 2 mention possible suicide attackshijackers, 2 mention possible suicide attacks

But beware of “hindsight bias” in assessing But beware of “hindsight bias” in assessing failure to respond pre-9/11failure to respond pre-9/11

Resources, personnel not what it is todayResources, personnel not what it is today Airplane security also much weaker—weapons Airplane security also much weaker—weapons

passed through with easepassed through with ease

Spring and Summer of 2001Spring and Summer of 2001

Apr.23-Jun.29 --During this time, Apr.23-Jun.29 --During this time, most of the 13 Saudi assistants to most of the 13 Saudi assistants to the lead hijackers - often called ‘the the lead hijackers - often called ‘the muscle’ - arrive in the US and join muscle’ - arrive in the US and join Atta’s group in Florida.  These men Atta’s group in Florida.  These men are not informed of the details of the are not informed of the details of the plot until just prior to the attacks.      plot until just prior to the attacks.     

August 2001-- In an intercepted phone call August 2001-- In an intercepted phone call to an al-Qaeda leader in Madrid, an to an al-Qaeda leader in Madrid, an operative says “In our lessons we have operative says “In our lessons we have entered the field of aviation.  We’ve even entered the field of aviation.  We’ve even cut the throat of the bird.”  Another cut the throat of the bird.”  Another translation of the last sentence could be translation of the last sentence could be “We are even going to cut the eagle's “We are even going to cut the eagle's throat,” possibly a reference to the throat,” possibly a reference to the impending attacks on America.     impending attacks on America.     

September 11, 2001September 11, 2001

September 11September 11thth flight paths flight paths

Youtube linksYoutube links National Georgraphic Inside 9/11: Zero Hour Part 1/4 National Georgraphic Inside 9/11: Zero Hour Part 1/4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-B6c6xxXug&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE215801B6c6xxXug&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE215801&index=7&index=7

News Media morning of 9/11/01 before the attacks News Media morning of 9/11/01 before the attacks http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaVYdg9BoNI&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE21v=GaVYdg9BoNI&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE215801&index=95801&index=9

New Media 9/11/01 the initial bulletins New Media 9/11/01 the initial bulletins http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP5uIPyYDlQ&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE215v=zP5uIPyYDlQ&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE215801&index=8801&index=8

9/11 begins9/11 begins

8:14 AM -- 8:14 AM -- The 9/11 attacks begin: The 9/11 attacks begin: Flight 11 is hijackedFlight 11 is hijacked over central over central Massachusetts by Atta and his Massachusetts by Atta and his assistantsassistants

““We have some planes”We have some planes” 8:24-8:38 AM --The Flight 11 hijackers 8:24-8:38 AM --The Flight 11 hijackers

accidentally intermittently broadcast their accidentally intermittently broadcast their voices over the radio.  Boston air traffic voices over the radio.  Boston air traffic controllers hear the inadvertent transmission, controllers hear the inadvertent transmission, realize that they're dealing with a hijacking realize that they're dealing with a hijacking on Flight 11, and send warnings up the FAA on Flight 11, and send warnings up the FAA chain of command.  A hijacker is heard chain of command.  A hijacker is heard saying "We have more planes. We have other saying "We have more planes. We have other planes," but the controllers don't yet grasp planes," but the controllers don't yet grasp what he means - only after 9:00 AM do FAA what he means - only after 9:00 AM do FAA officials realize that they're dealing with officials realize that they're dealing with multiple hijackings.   multiple hijackings.  

Caught off guardCaught off guard

8:30 AM-- approximately -- In the last minutes 8:30 AM-- approximately -- In the last minutes before Flight 11 hits the North Tower, key US before Flight 11 hits the North Tower, key US government officials and military officers are government officials and military officers are widely scattered.  President Bush is in widely scattered.  President Bush is in Sarasota, Florida, promoting the Sarasota, Florida, promoting the administration's education proposals.  Vice administration's education proposals.  Vice President Cheney, National Security Adviser President Cheney, National Security Adviser Rice, and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld are all Rice, and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld are all in their offices - the first two in the West Wing in their offices - the first two in the West Wing of the White House, and the latter at the of the White House, and the latter at the Pentagon.  Pentagon. 

Flight 175Flight 175

8:42 am --About this time 8:42 am --About this time Flight 175 Flight 175 is hijackedis hijacked over northern New over northern New Jersey.  A brief emergency signal is Jersey.  A brief emergency signal is sent, the plane veers off course, and sent, the plane veers off course, and soon afterwards its transponder code soon afterwards its transponder code is altered.  Repeated attempts to is altered.  Repeated attempts to contact the plane go unanswered.  contact the plane go unanswered. 

8:45 AM --Still communicating with 8:45 AM --Still communicating with an American Airlines ground an American Airlines ground manager, flight attendant Sweeney manager, flight attendant Sweeney on Flight 11 says "I see the water. I on Flight 11 says "I see the water. I see the buildings. I see buildings," see the buildings. I see buildings," and notes that the plane was flying and notes that the plane was flying very low.  very low. 

102 minutes 102 minutes

8:46 AM  -- 8:46 AM  -- Mohamed Atta Mohamed Atta crashes American Flight 11 into crashes American Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World the North Tower of the World Trade CenterTrade Center. The plane comes in . The plane comes in from the north at about 470 miles from the north at about 470 miles per hour, striking the 93rd through per hour, striking the 93rd through 99th floors 99th floors

Film footage, but not live TV newsFilm footage, but not live TV news

Flight 11 striking the north Flight 11 striking the north towertower

9:03 am-South Tower is hit9:03 am-South Tower is hit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lKZqqSI9-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lKZqqSI9-

s&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE215801&index=3s&feature=BFa&list=PL74D38060FE215801&index=3

South Tower South Tower

9:03 am --There are probably well 9:03 am --There are probably well over a hundred people milling around over a hundred people milling around the elevators at the 78th floor sky the elevators at the 78th floor sky lobby when a violent explosion blasts lobby when a violent explosion blasts through, shattering the walls and the through, shattering the walls and the elevators, hurling fragments of glass elevators, hurling fragments of glass and debris, and engulfing the large and debris, and engulfing the large room in searing heat and smoke. room in searing heat and smoke.

Many see this on live TV Many see this on live TV

Bush learns of the attacksBush learns of the attacks

Watching in horror from Watching in horror from “ground zero”“ground zero”

Response to disasterResponse to disaster

Flight 77Flight 77

8:53 AM- approximately -- 8:53 AM- approximately -- Flight 77 Flight 77 is hijackedis hijacked over southern Ohio. over southern Ohio. Flight 77 flies eastwards toward Flight 77 flies eastwards toward Washington, undetected until 9:32 Washington, undetected until 9:32

FAA actionsFAA actions

Initially, there are fears that there will be Initially, there are fears that there will be multiple attacks, at home and abroad.     multiple attacks, at home and abroad.    

9:26 AM -9:26 AM -The FAA halts departures The FAA halts departures of all aircraft nationwideof all aircraft nationwide - civilian, - civilian, military, and law enforcement - with a military, and law enforcement - with a few special exceptions.  The momentous few special exceptions.  The momentous decision to call an unplanned national decision to call an unplanned national ground stop - the first in American ground stop - the first in American history history

Flight 93Flight 93

FAA sends out message to all pilots FAA sends out message to all pilots of commercial airlines “beware of commercial airlines “beware cockpit intrusion” cockpit intrusion”

9:28 AM - Just as United Airlines is 9:28 AM - Just as United Airlines is ordering its planes out of the air, ordering its planes out of the air, Flight 93 is hijackedFlight 93 is hijacked over eastern over eastern Ohio Ohio

PentagonPentagon 9:37AM - After smoothly executing a 360-9:37AM - After smoothly executing a 360-

degree turn over the Potomac, degree turn over the Potomac, American American Flight 77 crashes into the PentagonFlight 77 crashes into the Pentagon, , coming in very low, hitting the west face at coming in very low, hitting the west face at 530 miles per hour, and piercing three of the 530 miles per hour, and piercing three of the building’s five concentric rings. The plane building’s five concentric rings. The plane hits an area of Army and Navy offices that hits an area of Army and Navy offices that had recently been renovated and had recently been renovated and strengthened, and is still only partly strengthened, and is still only partly occupied. occupied.

No live news footage of this attackNo live news footage of this attack

rumors spread of bombs set off at capitol hillrumors spread of bombs set off at capitol hill

9:45 AM - 9:45 AM - The FAA shuts down all US The FAA shuts down all US commercial air trafficcommercial air traffic, and the nearly , and the nearly 4,000 planes in the air - almost a third of all 4,000 planes in the air - almost a third of all airliners in the world - are soon landed at airliners in the world - are soon landed at the nearest available airports. In the next the nearest available airports. In the next 15 minutes, controllers reroute over 1,100 15 minutes, controllers reroute over 1,100 flights; in the next hour, 75% of all planes in flights; in the next hour, 75% of all planes in the air are landed. Costs associated with the air are landed. Costs associated with this immense disruption of service deal a this immense disruption of service deal a very heavy blow to the already ailing airline very heavy blow to the already ailing airline industry. industry.

9:57 AM - 9:57 AM - Passengers on Flight 93 Passengers on Flight 93 attack the hijackersattack the hijackers.  The hijackers .  The hijackers try to knock the attackers off balance try to knock the attackers off balance by flying erratically, but the by flying erratically, but the passengers keep up a sustained passengers keep up a sustained assault on the cockpit. assault on the cockpit.

CollapseCollapse 9:58- AM - 9:58- AM - The South Tower of the World Trade The South Tower of the World Trade

Center collapsesCenter collapses, killing everyone in the building , killing everyone in the building as well as a number of people on the concourse, in as well as a number of people on the concourse, in the Marriott, and on neighboring streets. the Marriott, and on neighboring streets.

Watching from Brooklyn, novelist John Updike says Watching from Brooklyn, novelist John Updike says "It sank down as if somebody had yanked it." The "It sank down as if somebody had yanked it." The building falls in ten seconds, hitting the ground at building falls in ten seconds, hitting the ground at nearly the speed of free-fall. The more than nearly the speed of free-fall. The more than 200,000 cubic yards of concrete in the structure 200,000 cubic yards of concrete in the structure are pulverized by the force of the collapse and are pulverized by the force of the collapse and explode outward in a gigantic cloud of silicate dust, explode outward in a gigantic cloud of silicate dust, as bystanders desperately flee. as bystanders desperately flee.

Popular Mechanics magazine would later publish an Popular Mechanics magazine would later publish an issue proving the science of how this is possible - issue proving the science of how this is possible - to counter conspiracy theorists in their wild claimsto counter conspiracy theorists in their wild claims

Flight 93Flight 93

10:03 AM - 10:03 AM - Flight 93 crashes in rural Flight 93 crashes in rural PennsylvaniaPennsylvania, near Shanksville, after , near Shanksville, after witnesses observe it flying erratically witnesses observe it flying erratically at high speed. Washington at this at high speed. Washington at this time had no shoot down orders. It is time had no shoot down orders. It is likely that Flight 93 would have hit its likely that Flight 93 would have hit its intended target - probably the Capitol intended target - probably the Capitol Building - if it hadn't been brought Building - if it hadn't been brought down by the passenger revolt.down by the passenger revolt.

10:28 AM - 10:28 AM - The North Tower of the WTC The North Tower of the WTC collapsescollapses, largely completing the destruction of , largely completing the destruction of the neighboring 22-story Marriott Hotel (3 World the neighboring 22-story Marriott Hotel (3 World Trade Center), and partly wrecking many Trade Center), and partly wrecking many surrounding buildings.  Another immense dust surrounding buildings.  Another immense dust cloud is released - even thicker than the first, by cloud is released - even thicker than the first, by some accounts.  As the dust dissipates, some accounts.  As the dust dissipates, bystanders stand numbly staring at the empty bystanders stand numbly staring at the empty space where the towers had been. The site of the space where the towers had been. The site of the Twin Towers has been transformed into Ground Twin Towers has been transformed into Ground Zero, a 16 acre debris field with 2 billion pounds Zero, a 16 acre debris field with 2 billion pounds or more of rubble, described by a reporter as a or more of rubble, described by a reporter as a "hellscape" surrounded by knee-deep ash. "hellscape" surrounded by knee-deep ash.

Lifting the flagLifting the flag

out of the ashesout of the ashes

At “Ground Zero”At “Ground Zero”

Post 9/11 patriotismPost 9/11 patriotism

LegacyLegacy

How has the world changed since 9/11?How has the world changed since 9/11? Impact on American life?Impact on American life? Plane/travel regulations today vs. thenPlane/travel regulations today vs. then Dept. of homeland securityDept. of homeland security Patriot actPatriot act 9/11 commission vs. wiki leaks re: sharing 9/11 commission vs. wiki leaks re: sharing

of intelligenceof intelligence Death of bin Laden May 2011Death of bin Laden May 2011 ““Zero Dark Thirty” Zero Dark Thirty”

Why do you have to take off Why do you have to take off your shoes at the airport?your shoes at the airport?

Richard Reid December 22, Richard Reid December 22, 2001 2001 in-flight in-flight detonation detonation attemptattempt

Feedom Tower and Feedom Tower and MemorialMemorial

Timeline of events sourcesTimeline of events sources

http://cnparm.home.texas.net/http://cnparm.home.texas.net/911/911/911.htm911/911/911.htm

National Geographic Inside 9-11National Geographic Inside 9-11 Interactive timeline: Interactive timeline:

http://timeline.national911memorial.http://timeline.national911memorial.org/org/