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The Global Public Square is where you can make sense of the world every day with insights and explanations from CNN's Fareed Zakaria, leading journalists at TIME and CNN, and other international thinkers. Get informed about global issues, exposed to unique stories, and engaged with diverse and original perspectives. Amar C. Bakshi is the site's editor, features writer and producer.

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath

Editor's Note: Tune in this Sunday in the U.S. at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. for a special edition of GPS: "9/11 and the World". (If you're watching internationally, tune in Sunday at 4 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. ET and Monday 7 a.m. ET.) Fareed will have a one-on-one with former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and an
1K expert panel on how the world has changed - and not - since September 11,

Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Warning: Syria is much stronger than Libya Who owns America? Hint: It's not China

2001 . By Fareed Zakaria , CNN Those of us who live in New York have our own special memories of 9/11/2001. I was driving down the Long Island Expressway, about to begin a month-long leave from my job at Newsweek to work on a book. Around 9 a.m., I switched from the CD player to the radio to listen to the news. The reports were chaotic but the outlines of what had happened were clear. I turned around and headed back to New York to get to my wife and 1-year-old boy. As I approached the Triborough Bridge I saw huge barricades and dozens of police cars. All bridges and tunnels were closed. Manhattan had been sealed off. Cell phones were useless that morning because 8 million people were trying to use them simultaneously and the result was cellular gridlock. I turned around and headed to my destination in Long Island, the home of friends

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs where I had been planning to work on the book. As soon as I got there, I turned on CNN and watched with horror and anger. Finally, I was able to talk to my wife and knew that she and my son were fine. But soon I got a call from one of my dearest friends, my roommate from college. His brother, Chris, worked on one the high floors of the Towers. No one had heard from him. I began calling friends and contacts at the New York Police Department, the FBI, the CIA - anyone who might have any ideas about what I might do to help. I remember looking at the hospital emergency rooms, with beds set up on the streets, waiting for patients to come streaming in. But, of course, they were all empty. No one ever came. Chris was never heard from again. I guessed instantly who had done it. I had followed Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda for a few years, through the attacks on the U.S. embassies in Africa and on the USS Cole in Yemen. In my previous job, as Managing Editor of Foreign Affairs magazine, I had published a commentary on bin Ladens then-littleknown fatwah against the United States by the eminent Princeton historian, Bernard Lewis. But I was still stunned by the attack - by its audacity, simplicity and success. In one respect, I was thoroughly American. I imagined that America was an island, a rock, far away from the troubles and infections of the rest of the world. And like most Americans, I felt a shock, an intrusion, a violation. I put my book project on hold and spent all my spare hours reading and thinking about what had caused the attack. What explained this monstrous evil? I wrote my columns for Newsweek on it and then, a couple of weeks later, I was talking to Newsweeks Editor, Mark Whitaker, and we decided that I would write a full-length essay explaining the roots of this rage against America. I spent three days and nights in a white heat, reading, researching and writing. The result was a 6,000word cover essay that ran in Newsweek worldwide titled, Why They Hate Us? It got a lot of attention - more than anything I had ever written. It was a moment that Americans - in fact, people around the world - were deeply curious for answers, explanations and understanding. The piece did deal with America and American foreign policy in small measure, but it was mostly about Islam and the Arab world in particular. It was mostly about them. Thats how 9/11 was discussed and analyzed at the time - mostly with a focus on them. Who are they? Why are they so enraged? What do they want? What will stop them from hating us? That discussion of Islam and the Arab world had its problems, but its was a fruitful discussion, especially once it was joined by Arabs and Muslims themselves. I have often said that the most influential piece of writing of the last decade was a United Nations report, the UNDPs Arab Development Report, written by Arabs, that documented in granular detail the decay of the Arab world. Once Arabs began to focus on how stagnant and repressive their societies had become, it set off a chain of ideas and actions that I believe has led to the discrediting of al Qaeda and its philosophy and the rise of the Arab Spring. But if 9/11 was focused at the time on them, ten years later the discussion is mostly about us. What is Americas position in the world today? Are we safer? Are we stronger? Was it worth it? Some of these questions are swirling around because the United States is mired in tough economic times and at such moments, the mood is introspective not outward looking. Some of it is because of the success in the war against al Qaeda. The threat from Islamic terrorism still seems real but more manageable and contained. But, in large part, the discussion about the United States is the right one to have. History will probably record this period not as one characterized by al Qaeda and Islamic terrorism. That will get a few paragraphs or a chapter. The main story will be about a rapidly changing world and perhaps about the fate of the worlds sole superpower the United States of America. History might well record 9/11 as the beginning of the decline of America as planets unrivaled hegemon. The day on 9/11, the world was at peace, and the United States strode that world like a Colossus. It posted a large budget surplus. Oil was at $28 a barrel. The Chinese economy was a fifth the size of Americas. Today, America is at war across the globe; it has a deficit of $1.5 trillion and oil is at $115 a barrel. China is now the worlds second largest economy. Al Qaeda will be forgotten. Few people today remember what the Boer War was about. But what they do know is that, around that time, the dawn of the 20th Century, Great Britain spent a great many of its resources and, more importantly, its attention, on policing the world and sending its troops to Africa
Sun at 1pm ET/10am PT I interview Donald Rumsfeld about 9/11, Iraq and much more. I ask: Was Iraq a costly distraction? http://t.co/XX92dlE

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@ RumsfeldOffice , an excerpt of our interview is up online here: http://t.co/XX92dlE

6 hours ago

6 hours ago
.@BarackObama gave a good speech on #jobs , but his proposals are not enough. My views here:

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@ KazimAlam Thank you

12 hours ago

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/fareed-zakaria-september-11/[9/9/2011 11:03:00 PM]

Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs and...Afghanistan and Iraq - some things never change. But Britain forgot that the real threat to its power came from the economic rise of Germany and the United States, which were challenging its industrial supremacy. America needs to get back its energy and focus on its true challenge staying competitive and vibrant in a rapidly changing world. That requires not great exertions of foreign policy and war but deep domestic changes at home. The danger comes not from them but from us. For more of my thoughts through the week, I invite you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and to bookmark the Global Public Square . Also, be sure to tune in this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT for a special edition of GPS: "9/11 and the World". I'll have a one-on-one interview with former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and I'll convene a group of experts to discuss how the world has changed - and not since September 11, 2001.
Recommend You recommend Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath . Admin

My reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath: The danger comes not from them but from us.

#BiggestLessonLearnedfrom911 (http://t.co/agaxlny ) 12 hours ago

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(93 Responses)

TowelHeadsAreMorons
That's how to reflect. September 9, 2011 at 8:33 am | Reply

johnnyusa
Some are some are not. All are affected by their culture, as the USA and europe is affected also. Possibly a way out of the them and us dilemma is for all countries to EDUCATE their religious crazies! For science not thousand year old fairy stories should be what we teach our impreesionable children in the 21st century. For almost 500 years ago a scientist was jailed for his views as to the position of the earth in the solar system . Today people are damned as "deniers" by those zealots pushing another myth, that of man made global warming. Al Quiada are just a passing side show. After all, can anyone now say where they were when Black September/Red Brigades /IRA caused their last terror attack?? Of course not, but if parents you can remember vividly when your child was born, or got married, or had children of their own. Time for the world media to get back to reporting what REALLY MATTERS to people, not chase only BAD news across all continents! September 9, 2011 at 10:56 am | Reply

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

ilan
-Ismail Haniyeh (top member of the fakestinian govenment.) "We condemn the killing of the Arab Muslim holy warrior Osama Bin Laden and we pray that God will have mercy on him." "The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews (and kill them); until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! there is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!"-article 7 hamas official charterbut we all know HAMAS are just RADICALS !,FATAH members are peace loving people ! youtube>> "FATAH official our goal has never been peace" September 9, 2011 at 3:46 pm |

marina urbach
Why are you repeating verbatim Perry's nonsense? September 9, 2011 at 8:30 pm |

Joe Job
Why must we dwell on this still-? Yes it was terrible-!! There are so many other terrible things happening to this nation (decline from #1, poor economy, health care, our political parties are a bunch of buffoons each year and keep getting reelected, China is gaining power to become the next world leader over the USA, no country listens to us any longer, bottom line our home land has become weak & lazy). 9/11 will be forgotten like WW1 and where WW2 is nearly. When this generation dies so will the memory of 9/11. September 9, 2011 at 11:46 am | Reply

futbol Czarina
WWI and WWII are hardly forgotten. Geopolitical boundaries are still in place as a result of the outcome of the latter war. Alliances were reinforced and are still in place. Europe speaks multiple languages, including English, because of our victory in WWII. Don't be so dismissive of wars because you might not personally care. 9/11 was a pivotal event for America and much of Europe. It altered the last decade worldwide. The lasting impact remains to be seen, but it will not be simply a generational issue. September 9, 2011 at 12:39 pm |

SICKOFIT
I dwell on it because justice has yet to be served. Send Bush and Cheney to Germany so they can recieve a fair trial and be convicted for their crimes OR we could try them here for treason and then hang them. Oh they are guilty, no question in my mind. We could even waterboard them to force a confession. After all its OK to torture criminals. September 9, 2011 at 1:25 pm |

Bill
why should we dwell on it??? I'll tell you why...because justice hasn't been served...The American gov't still have a lot of explaining to do. Those who died on 911 their souls will not rest in peace until justice is served. We all know it's about big oil. September 9, 2011 at 2:44 pm |

JasonB
until the next one September 9, 2011 at 4:54 pm |

usapanda
Okay US, time to get over this and more on. The government and media play this crap up every year way too

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
much. September 9, 2011 at 3:50 pm | Reply

HRTX
I hope someone close to you dies horribly. Then I'll be able to tell you to get over it...you worthless waste of air. I hope you get cancer and rot. September 9, 2011 at 5:14 pm |

Hi
I agree September 9, 2011 at 8:12 pm |

Tia
You are free to get over it if you want. Clearly you live in a vacuum and are incapable of caring about anyone but yourself so please, go watch some cartoons since you have the intellect of a 4 year old. September 9, 2011 at 10:53 pm |

j. von hettlingen
Fareed: "it has a deficit of $1.5 trillion". No, it's 14 trillion! True, the Al Qaeda hasn't been able to stage an attack on similar scale since 9/11, but the excessive war on terror has cost billions. The burden of this public good the global security is not equally shared and the West stands on its own -broke. September 9, 2011 at 9:27 am | Reply

johnnyusa
Those who perpetrate the attacks also are "broke" too! Not just broke, but morally bankrupt. They have strict religious codes with NO MORALITY, they have strict "family values". Like selling off their young daughters to relatives, (and killing them to "avenge their honour") if the girl wants to make a choice of partner herself! Honour killing is frequent and applied mostly to women but men are tragetted too. Women used as baby machines, with a culture of easy divorce for a man, but none for women. Western women cry about their "inequalities" but the Sisterhood raise not a peep about their religiously bound sisters! Hopefully the "Spring" that is breaking out in N Africa will eventually allow those sociaties to cast off their actual and mental dictatorships and emerge from the 12th Century world into the light and freedom of the 21st Century! Maybe the "Arab Spring" is a start, but reflecting on 9.11 it seems unlikely without a step change in their societal thinking! September 9, 2011 at 11:06 am | Reply

Gary Dee, Portland, Oregon

The gross national debt (including what is owed to Social Security) is around $14 Trillion. $1.5 Trillion is this fiscal year's budget deficit. September 9, 2011 at 11:12 am | Reply

Harvey
The national debt (14.7 trillion) is only part of the picture. You have to also add in the interest on the debt (3.7 trillion) and the liabilities we have been obligated to, but are unfunded (115.4 trillion!). This adds up to 133.8 trillion. There are about 312 million of us in this country, To cover everything, every man, woman, and child in this country would have to cut a check for about $429,000. Are you ready to cut your check? Remember to cut one just like it for each member of your family.

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/fareed-zakaria-september-11/[9/9/2011 11:03:00 PM]

Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
If you want to see something that will curl your toes check out www(dot)usdebtclock(dot)org You might want to skip this if you are prone to cardiac arrest. September 9, 2011 at 12:08 pm | Reply

SCOTO
1.5 trillion is the budget deficit. 14 trillion is the national debt. You are confusing them. September 9, 2011 at 2:59 pm | Reply

Cody (D.C.)
deficit =/= debt September 9, 2011 at 4:05 pm | Reply

Rick McDaniel
The US is in the greatest decline since its origins, and that is likely to continue, because our government does not care about the country, as a country. The Dems just want to keep everyone on welfare, and have total dictatorial control, and the GOP just wants to have everything set up to make money at any cost. The government has allowed our manufacturing to all be sent off shore, and the middle class has been destroyed. Higher education is so expensive, no one can expect to pay of the debt to get a degree, in less than 25 yrs. Our southern border is no better than a sieve, and illegal immigrants have taken all of the lower class jobs, putting Americans out of work. Our government is encouraging that, so they can grow their voter base, and ensure they remain in power. Our people have become lazy and shiftless, preferring to play games on computers, rather than o outside and fix their houses, or maintain their yards. Americans eat so unhealthy, and have gotten so fat, that now they claim to be disabled, because they are so fat. There is absolutely nothing positive about America, today.......absolutely nothing. September 9, 2011 at 9:49 am | Reply

Onesmallvoice
Very well said, Rick. Thank you. September 9, 2011 at 10:35 am | Reply

klm
re: Rick McDaniel Exactly. Except that many Americans now EXPECT the government to support them, at any cost. It is said that the Americans don't have work in the lower job classes because the illegal immigrants take those jobs, but most of those are jobs Americans WON'T do. I'm in AZ and see it first hand. In Mexico, for example, you want to eat?... get a job. Need a place to live?... work for it. In America.... just go to welfare office and you get cash, a place to live, transportation, medical care, education, etc. I am 60 yo, white, American, and have worked my entire life. Why can't everybody who can just get a job and earn a living? Because the socialists are taking over. It didn't work in the past so why try it again? Well spoken Rick! September 9, 2011 at 10:36 am | Reply

Chris
While you have some of the problems about our country correct, you are also entirely ignorant. "There's absolutely nothing positive about America?" Please. You're being dramatic, and it's certainly not becoming. Get over yourself and stop being a crybaby. September 9, 2011 at 10:43 am | Reply

johnnyusa

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
THAT is what people in the UK felt like whenthe last government was in ofice. Government spending citizens money on Programmes which East Germany would have admired. CCTV on every street in the name of "freedom", ID cards proposed, free speech attacked and reduced. Socialists were in control! 2010, Socialist kicked out..NO MONEY LEFT &Billions in debt. Sound familiar. But now people are getting to have more hope. For a new government are cutting programmes and excess govt. A start. Before people too had no hope...is that how socialists the world over operate?? Well people can now see a little light at the end of the tunnel, and are getting a little less pessimistic. Perhaps after Obama and the socilaist Dems have gone, citizens in USA may feel the same. But all bets are off if the citizensreturn to power those who have failed USA since 2008! September 9, 2011 at 11:15 am | Reply

Alex
Nearly everything you just said outside of our political BS is either outright false or horribly exaggerated. In all honesty, your whining about people who don't live you do (living to work, working to live) is what's causing the US to stagnate. What the hell does keeping a tidy lawn have to do with ANYTHING, anyways? That foolish sentimentality has no bearing whatsoever. Besides all that, I think we've been #1 long enough. It's high time that somebody else (perhaps China?) to handle the reins. They can deal with all the crap in the world today, and we can get on with enjoying life (what life SHOULD be about!). September 9, 2011 at 12:32 pm | Reply

alanseago
Rick, I almost agree with you, but I disagree with your statement that the country is in decline because of the government. The country is in decline because we have become a weak and greedy people. The U.S. government is the mess it is because we have elected those people, and we have elected them because they have promised us the world. We expect to be given cradle-to-grave health care, without paying for it. We expect infinite extensions of umemployment benefits without paying for them. We expect another government stimulus will make us all wealthy, but none of us want to pay for it. Yes, our government has failed us - but only because we've told it to. September 9, 2011 at 1:09 pm | Reply

Laz
Decline... is mostly a consequence of the growing ignorance of the american people...toward Economy, World affairs and finally the very basic fundamentals upon which this country was originally created. Americans still believe they live on a magical land of opportunity and they dream the life of their idols and patrons...not realizing that this life they envy... is reached by 1 out of a thousand...and this is only because the other 999 can't live it... Why is it that america has to be synonymus of inequalities...(on education, welfare, chances in life). Why is it that it only comes down to greed and money.... You realize how deep a country can go when you get to analyse who its people select to represent them...Everything in the US is about how you package things instead of what you package in.... it's becoming to the ideology side what was China on the manufacturing side.... 911 was so sad... sad because it was mostly paid by innocents... in America and elsewhere.... 911 is a sad event because... it became an opportunity for America to lead as an example...an example finally no one wants to follow. What did all these innocents die for...? Since it's all crumbling down now. September 9, 2011 at 3:14 pm |

mary
There is nothing good about America? Really? Love it or leave it. September 9, 2011 at 7:31 pm | Reply

Laz
There is actually... a lot of good... and bad.... the best and the worst...and I don't live in it so I do not have to leave it!

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
September 9, 2011 at 8:09 pm |

George
...yawnnn..... September 9, 2011 at 10:19 pm | Reply

Christian Aglen
Well thought-out reflections, Fareed. By the way, I noticed one small typo in one of the sentences: "I have often said that they most influential piece of writing of the last decade was a United Nations report". - >"they" September 9, 2011 at 10:42 am | Reply

TXJim
Great article.. September 9, 2011 at 10:59 am | Reply

zakariajoker
Lousy article as usual from zakaria. September 9, 2011 at 2:27 pm | Reply

Gethetruth
Obviously your are a Muslim and hate Zak because he does not toe your line. Get a like stupid Paki ! September 9, 2011 at 7:54 pm |

Will
Best 9/11 joke: shortly after 9/11, a guy from the State Dept gets a visit from the new Saudi Ambassador in Washington. "Ahmed, nice to see you. Are you and the family getting settled in okay?" "Yes, but I have one question." "Sure Ahmed, I'm here to help." "Well, my kids are watching this TV show Star Trek. On the space ship there are many people: Americans, Russians, Africans, Asians and Indians. But why no Arabs on Star Trek?" "Oh Ahmed, that's because Star Trek takes place in the future." September 9, 2011 at 11:00 am | Reply

Johnny 5
Chris: Dramatic? ignorant? Rick is telling it how it is, it sucks, but it's reality. September 9, 2011 at 11:05 am | Reply

Amit-Atlanta-USA
I have commented extensively on my former countryman from India Mr. Zakarias writings and his ongoing Anti-Western, AntiSemitic pro-Islamic agenda. While a lot of Americans have until now had been misled into believing his moderate stance given his penchant for saying certain obvious things (ONLY in an effort to capture gullible minds), while cleverly hiding all the vitriol in sugarcoated language, through this article, Mr. Zakaria himself blows the lid off on his overall thinking & agenda! Here are some notable comments that I would like readers to focus on to understand Mr. Zakarias line of thinking. (Readers please note: I need to truncate my response as it is being censored!) September 9, 2011 at 11:29 am | Reply

Amit-Atlanta-USA

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/fareed-zakaria-september-11/[9/9/2011 11:03:00 PM]

Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
Unfortunately it looks like my comments are being censored. Readers please read the article in his enterity paying close to attention to Mr. Zakaria's initial anger which dissipates into holding America itself responsible for all these terrorist acts. September 9, 2011 at 11:48 am | Reply

ik
OMG! Amit you are an idiot... I read your comments and really wish I rather stab myself in the eye... you are an ignorant fool and I have been noticing that for a couple of months.. No wonder your comments are censored! September 9, 2011 at 6:58 pm | Reply

Jenny
Great article, but tons of typos. September 9, 2011 at 11:48 am | Reply

Kevin Gould
My friend, Fareed. Thanks again for your balanced and measured perspective on the state of the world. I've spent the past eight years deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, executing the military policies of this nation, with mixed results. I don't get to watch GPS too often, but I think you would be well-served to interview some middle-level troops on their experiences in reconstruction, training, and repairing the destruction caused by past despots and the current plague of nihilistic terrorists. Keep up the fire, Fareed. September 9, 2011 at 11:58 am | Reply

Carla
It was the beginning of opening the lid of the tightly closed Middle East. Americans got sacrificed for liberty to all women, as they always did. Thank-you to USA. September 9, 2011 at 12:31 pm | Reply

M
Must be nice to have "contacts at the New York Police Department, the FBI, the CIA". The rest of us are normal people who just had to wait in fear. September 9, 2011 at 12:50 pm | Reply

otomakascram
Are you suggesting that he should not have used those contacts? If it had been you, would you have not tried to help out a friend in anyway you could? September 9, 2011 at 1:11 pm | Reply

rhymeskeema
Also, I can't wait for your the slowpitch softballs you are gonna throw at a war criminal. September 9, 2011 at 1:06 pm | Reply

Dante Xaiver
Nice to Know the Great Lie is still going on and the Average American is taking the bait hook line and sinker. Wake the hell up people and take a look at the facts. Not the facts the main stream media want you to know, Im talking about the evidence that points to a Controlled demolition. Bush is a war criminal and should be hung for his actions along with all his pals in the CIA CFR NATO and so on. September 9, 2011 at 1:06 pm | Reply

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Cody (D.C.)
lol Stay in school. September 9, 2011 at 4:06 pm | Reply

DavidW
Good grief, I thought all you 9/11 conspiracy nuts had finally shutup. You need to Google Popular Mechanics 9/11 and read, learn, forget the fact you hate Bush because you voted for Gore and Kerry and they didn't win. Give it up, yes there was smoke, yes there was fire, but it's because a jumbo jet loaded with thousands of gallons of highly flamible Jet A1 fuel crashed into the buildings at 500 mph destroying the integrity of the structure and the buildings failed and fell on top of everything around it including Building 7 you moronic peter leech. September 9, 2011 at 7:48 pm | Reply

SICKOFIT
I will remeber it as the day my distain for our own government reached the level it is today. Anyone who thinks our government didn't know something was going to happen has been drinking to much lead contaminated water. they can tell you things about yourself you don't even know. I would not be at all surprised if our own government contributed in some way in the attack. What better way to promote an unjust war for oil. I'm not saying they did, just that I wouldn't be surprised. Bush and Cheney should be shipped off to Germany so they can be tried for the war crimes they commited. At the very least they should be held accountable for destroying the American economy, a treasonist act. All you right wing rebublicans can blame Obama all you want. The majority of Americans know whose to blame for our current state of affairs. I have no political affiliation, I simply call it as I see it. My own parents voted for that moron Bush and I warned them that it was a huge mistake. They have come to realize.....I was right. September 9, 2011 at 1:11 pm | Reply

Onesmallvoice
Well put SICKOFIT, and quite true. I couldn't have stated it better! September 9, 2011 at 5:13 pm | Reply

stan.k
Did you ride the short bus? September 9, 2011 at 9:49 pm | Reply

We are one
Hello Everyone, Just want to share this important piece of information with every one. Islam has clearly stated that no one is permitted to hurt an other inocent person or animal or a bird or a property and that means NONE in any way shape or form. So any one who is born in a Muslim Country / family or has a Muslim name, decides to go out there and hurt any one or an animal or a bird or a plant or a tree anything that is living or non living, is absolutely NOT a MUSLIM. I am no Scholar but if some how I am given the authority, I will declear every single person (muslim or non muslim) who goes out to hurt other innocent human beings (of any religion) in any way or form, AN ANIMAL with no religion. This is just my thought. September 9, 2011 at 1:27 pm | Reply

WWRRD
Thanks and Peace! September 9, 2011 at 1:41 pm | Reply

WWRRD
I say streamline the TSA, dunp the DHS. Let's save our money and return to living our lives as Americans. It might happen

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/fareed-zakaria-september-11/[9/9/2011 11:03:00 PM]

Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
again. No one knows. But at least we would live free and proud and not be so obsessed with being safe. That would be a victory against those who delight in seeing us spend our blood and treasure in Afghanistan. Put our energy , labor, intellect and resources into becoming the greatest economic , and then military power the world has ever seen. Our old President had it right, Speak softly and carry a BIG STICK. Don't meddle in other countries. Don't get tangled up in alliances.Don't tolerate international corporations that earn profit in America but but don't contribute to american jobs or taxes. If someone threatens our country, don't be squemish about attacking the enemy , DESTROY THEM, preferably quickly and without mercy. And never , never let people convince you that Americans deserve to be victims of terrorism. At least not so long as people are risking their very lives so they can come here to be Americans. September 9, 2011 at 1:39 pm | Reply

Butters
I really don' see how history is suppose to remember something , when the entire truth has not been divulged . The entire truth will never be known . I wondering how history will remember Americans and their brainwashed lives . September 9, 2011 at 1:52 pm | Reply

George
Looks like Fareed has me on the no post list. He doesn't like what I say about him. September 9, 2011 at 1:52 pm | Reply

Chrono
Wow, you must really think highly of yourself to think he would take the time out of his day to censor you. September 9, 2011 at 4:11 pm | Reply

WWRRD
I remember how beautiful that day was. The air was crisp and cool. There was no humidty and the sky was a brilliant blue. Then the news came from New York , and then while the news was on we saw the second plane and things have never been the same. September 9, 2011 at 1:57 pm | Reply

MAA
"The day on 9/11, the world was at peace"....I don't think so. More like most Americans turned a blind eye towards any international news back then. Some good points, too sugarcoated and usa-centric in analysis in my opinion (but I do understand that this is partly due to the fact that these are your personal reflections). While the USA is definitely in economic, political, etc. decline, I think we are very far away from any sort of meltdown or unstoppable decay. While China is the 2nd largest economy right now, their numbers are so distant compared to the USA's. Yes, their growth is exponential but that growth can only sustain itself for so long. Furthermore, China's and the USA's economies mutually and extremely depend on one another. I know this point is a little off topic, but it is an important one nonetheless. Regarding the "they are taking all of our jobs" issue, the problem is not that there is a "finite" amount of jobs out there, but that our nation is not providing the resources to advance our citizens' job skills. We need to help our unemployed, lowerskilled brothers and sisters evolve to the next step. The job market is changing in this country and well all need to help one another gain the skills to compete. Jobs can/will always grow, the question is if the job-searchers' skills can grow. Thank you for the article Fareed, because although not everyone may agree with your views, the fact is that people are TALKING about these larger issues- and this is the most important point. Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.-Confucius September 9, 2011 at 2:19 pm | Reply

zakariajoker
Zakaria is the only smart one ! He has all the contacts. He knows all the solutions to the world's problems. He advised Obama on healthcare. He was the teleprompter at the speech last night. He was the smoke from the towers. Zakaria for secretary of the taliban.

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/fareed-zakaria-september-11/[9/9/2011 11:03:00 PM]

Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
September 9, 2011 at 2:23 pm | Reply

JMW
Flight 93 made for a good story...too bad it was shot down.......yes shot down by a US Fighter. But the public will never be privy to that infomation as no one can stomach that we had to actually shoot down one of our planes heading (maybe) to the White House. How do I know? I was the duty controller that day. September 9, 2011 at 2:26 pm | Reply

911insidejobber
Zakaria is a Council On Foreign Relations member and a willing servant of the International Bankers controlling America. September 9, 2011 at 2:31 pm | Reply

bobalu
Why is Pakistan still holding Osama's wives and kids in custody and not repatriating them like they said they would? Are they a threat? Obviously the US didn't think so. Or do they know something the Pakistanis want kept secret? September 9, 2011 at 2:37 pm | Reply

Bill
listen guys you need to look into 911 gov't cover up ..we owe the ones that died that day to investigate more into what really happened on 911 and bring those accountable forward. Don't let the mainstream media brainwash you. September 9, 2011 at 2:52 pm | Reply

PHPDEVS
Our jobs are going to India. Instead of my grandfather, its some lousy woman in india answering phones ! thats our downfall !!! September 9, 2011 at 3:01 pm | Reply

Skeptic14
It will be remembered much like Pearl Harbor, the USS Liberty, Operation Northwoods, the sinking of the Luisitania, the burning of the Reichstag, the killing of Archduke Ferdinand, the US's approval of Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, etc. etc. etc. September 9, 2011 at 3:03 pm | Reply

AndyF
My 2nd thought after the towers fell; OMG, we have an alcoholic frat boy who bankrupted every business he was charged with as President. Hope he knows what he is doing. Well he didn't, and Al Queda's goal of wrecking our economy was accomplished not by the 9/11 attacks themselves, but by the gross mismanagement of the country and of the war. I mean tax cuts during a time of war, and now the Tea Party want the segment of society who send the most troops in harm's way to continue to shoulder a majority of the burden with their anrachist approach to running the economy? Where was the anger when we had to have military families hold fund raisers to provide our troops with what Rumsfled later acknowledged were basic protections the US military should have provided going in? I will remember all this as the greatest military and economic failure in American history unless the Tea Party and GOP concede that it is time for all of us to pay for this war, not just the middle and lower classes. September 9, 2011 at 3:32 pm | Reply

john
History will remember 9/11 as the period when the United States of America became the biggest cry babies in the world. History will judge Americans for giving up freedoms and liberties to the state. History will dictate we deserve neither freedom nor liberty.

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/fareed-zakaria-september-11/[9/9/2011 11:03:00 PM]

Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
Historians will judge us for what we are. Cowards. Losers. Crybabies. History will also rename the new tea party for what they are. The KKK. September 9, 2011 at 3:49 pm | Reply

george from europe

This attack,was payback for neverending occupation of us army around the world. The pride of usa is lost...forever September 9, 2011 at 3:52 pm | Reply

AnotherJohn
Since you live in Europe, the European country you reside in invites the US Military to run bases within your country, that's one reason why Euro nations can afford to maintain many social services that would go to building domestic military forces to protect the entire Euro Union. The US doesn't have bases in countries that don't invite us, unless we're at war within that countries boarders. Pull your head out of your rear end before you start getting a kick out of it. September 9, 2011 at 5:05 pm | Reply

Ted Peters
To paraphrase Mr. Zakaria in his 2008 Newsweek article about the end of conservatism: Progressive slogans sound anachronistic in the context of today's problems, like an old black and white TV show from the 1960s. September 9, 2011 at 3:53 pm | Reply

Gary
There was nothing special about that day. September 9, 2011 at 4:05 pm | Reply

VJ
I agree for the most part, but I wouldn't say 9/11 itself caused the decline of the US. It was the series of events that occurred after 9/11 and our response to it. I am not saying we did the wrong thing because there really was no choice. Most of us Americans were angry and wanted to retaliate. I still feel that way every time I see WTC in smoke. But the real reason for our decline is the rules of war in todays age. WWII ended with 2 atomic bombs that took out military targets, with civilian casualities as collateral. Today, that would be unacceptable, and instead war is longer, and takes more ground personnel. If instead we dropped a few atomic bombs in afghanistan or iraq and dont care what occurs in those countries postwar, those wars would be over in 1-2 days. I'm pretty sure al queda will stop if we threaten to drop a few more atomic bombs every time they threaten us. I'm not saying thats the right thing, but thats on par with the thinking of past wars, and will assert our dominance in the world. September 9, 2011 at 4:08 pm | Reply

Florencia Lopez
im really appreciate that in my school, every students wore red,blue and white clothes for the tower. so we hopelly the tower wont get hit from the air plane again. We love you NYC!!!! Wow i cant believe the tower has fall down and kill 3.000 people. Thank you Goerge Bush for closing the airport stage. I wish the tower will NEVER crash AGAIN! We love you New York !!!! By: Florencia September 9, 2011 at 4:18 pm | Reply

Florencia Lopez
PLEASE SAVE THE WORRRLLLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! September 9, 2011 at 4:19 pm | Reply

Kat
what's next by Islamphobes crap? that the Latin American drugs cartels are Muslims? we're indebted forever to Muslim China? Muslims are taking our jobs? 100,000 Muslim victims of Bosnia killed themselves and blamed the Christian Serbs for

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
it? Rwanda Chrsitian masscres were a Muslim conspiracy? Muslims invaded Israeli towns in Poland, Germany and Russia and established an Arabs-only state with colonies that house Arab immigrants from Yemen and Morocco? Muslims forge evidence of WMD's in Christian countries after speaking to their "heavenly father" to justify invading Christian countries in the west "to liberate them" and make millions homeless and dead in the way? September 9, 2011 at 4:36 pm | Reply

Ricky
Why doesn't anyone talk about WTC 7 that fell in the afternoon of the same day due to controlled demolition? September 9, 2011 at 4:54 pm | Reply

Brian
..Because that never happened. (shhhhh BIG brother is watching and listening to you).. How does a steel and glass building just FALL down at freefall speed with only 3 small fires inside? (hint.. military explosives help a bit in that collapse.. ). September 9, 2011 at 7:42 pm | Reply

david
first of all, mr zakaria, how did bilderberg group feel about 9/11? second, it is beyond obvious that 9/11 was carried out by the american government. for proof, there is no wreckage at shanksville or at the pentagon. the THREE towers fell at free fall speed into their own footprints. at world trade center 7, officers were telling everybody to back up, theyre going to blow up 7. dick cheney also issued a stand down order. none of this is debatable. it all happened. i just wish fareed would tell us what goes on at bilderberg. we know you go there. September 9, 2011 at 5:23 pm | Reply

nytw
9/11 was obviously a horrible historical event. But how will people remember hit, 12/7, 6/6, 8/6, 11/11. Pretty much the same way. September 9, 2011 at 5:29 pm | Reply

Greg
Hey Fareed. Still having those weekly meetings at the White House so you know what propaganda to spew? You are a disgrace and should be deported, if not tried, on grounds of treason (if you're even a legal citezen). Your blathering about how we should change our system of government, how our system is a failure and not as good as other parliamentary systems will end soon enough when you get fired from CNN. You are terrible. I'm disappointed to see CNN employ foreigners that bash the American system all the time. Shame on you guys. September 9, 2011 at 6:52 pm | Reply

Nik
Yet another piece of hate propaganda from the Terrorists fav apoligist. You are a disgrace. We don't need to change my friend. As much as you want us to. September 9, 2011 at 6:53 pm | Reply

CANT YOU SEE

If you people dont realise what the jewiish people are behind till now.. forgot the west and there greed for OIL. the jeews blew up the twin towers. not bin laden he would claim anything.. think of the jEWish people who took land from others. September 9, 2011 at 7:06 pm | Reply

For the truth

911 was a self inflicted wound by the CIA and Mossad. The official 911 fairytale has more holes in it then swiss cheese, but the idiotic Americans are too busy watching American Idol to see through the garbage the government gives them. What a sad country America has become.

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Zakaria: Reflections on 9/11 and its aftermath Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

September 9, 2011 at 7:14 pm | Reply

FFFF
Yep, too bad the American media covers up all the lies of this country. Americans are a bunch of sheep headed off for slaughter. September 9, 2011 at 7:17 pm | Reply

James
911 was allowed to happen to kick off the endless war on terror. September 9, 2011 at 7:18 pm | Reply

CANT YOU SEE

so true a endless war.. so called JIHAAD .. wrong enemy is a religion .. U.S GOOD LUCK September 9, 2011 at 7:20 pm | Reply

Brian
Why are my posts being censored by CNN? You gotta love "FREEDOM OF SPEECH!". Thanks CNN for defending our rights to FREE SPEECH!!! (NOT) September 9, 2011 at 7:32 pm | Reply

Craig
History won't remember 9/11...at all. It is insignificant in the scheme of things. September 9, 2011 at 8:27 pm | Reply

kimsland
Fareed Zakaria (the blog writer) was going on a 'month long leave from your job' without your wife and 1yo son? Then you turned back, found it was way to hard to continue to get to your family (through traffic not rubble) SO then decided to turn away from your family AGAIN, for a month!? Maybe you should have perished youself back then, at least your family would had a reasonable reason to be alone through this world traumatic time. I'd rather hear from writers who have more family values, you have nothing to contribute when you show nothing to your own family. Its meant to be in good times and bad, not in selfish and cold. Rethink your own values, they start at home. September 9, 2011 at 8:56 pm | Reply

wowgold
It's ten years now! I can't believe it. FREE WOW ITEMS give away in SwagVault. Check SwagVault website to learn more. September 9, 2011 at 9:11 pm | Reply

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