Before the 9/11 Attacks
1993 WTC Bombings: A Precursor to 9/11 |
In 1993, a jihad group under Ramzi Yousef successfully planted a bomb in the basement of the North World Trade Center Tower. This attack served as a preview to the 9/11 attacks and shocked America, yet the country was still clueless about the capability of certain groups to cause mass terror.
"To a considerable extent, America did not recognize the advent of a new age but whether anyone knew it or not, an era of religious terror had arrived." |
Writing to the New York Times: |
Experience: American Shock
The U.S. government had observed several terrorist group-driven attacks prior to the 9/11 attacks, including:
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American RecognitionOriginally, the U.S. viewed Bin Laden as a financier rather than a terrorist leader, yet after multiple attacks against U.S. embassies and the U.S.S. Cole in 2000, Osama Bin Laden was finally recognized as a threat. The United States and the American public was then cognizant of Al-Qaeda's ability and Bin Laden's role in the group.
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Demands by Al-Qaeda
Before the 9/11 attacks, Al-Qaeda demanded that the U.S:
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Daily Brief: "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S."
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In the spring before the 9/11 attacks, multiple warnings were issued by United States intelligence agencies.
"Clandestine, foreign government, and media reports indicate bin Laden since 1997 has wanted to conduct terrorist attacks in the US. Bin Laden implied in U.S. television interviews in 1997 and 1998 that his followers would follow the example of World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Yousef and bring the fighting to America." |
In the United States, the FBI recorded five terrorist incidents in 1998. Within the same year, 12 planned acts of terrorism were prevented in the United States. There were no suspected incidents of terrorism in the United States during 1998. |
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Repeated Warnings
Many top officials thought the CIA was exaggerating and falling for a distraction. The CIA persisted in trying to get the message across.
"After multiple briefs, C.I.A. repeated the warnings in the briefs that followed. Operatives connected to Bin Laden, one reported on June 29, expected the planned near-term attacks to have “dramatic consequences,” including major casualties. On July 1, the brief stated that the operation had been delayed, but “will occur soon.” Some of the briefs again reminded Mr. Bush that the attack timing was flexible, and that, despite any perceived delay, the planned assault was on track." |
The government failed to take reasonable action and the attacks occurred successfully. The United States under reacted to the terrorist threats despite consistent and direct warnings.
"The 9/11 attacks were a shock, but they should not have come as a surprise. Islamist extremists had given plenty of warning that they meant to kill Americans indiscriminately and in large numbers. Although Osama Bin Laden himself would not emerge as a signal threat until the late 1990s, the threat of Islamist terrorism grew over the decade."
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States: Summary of the 9/11 Commission Report