The Unfolding Legacy of 9/11

The horrific events of 9/11 affected every American, many of whom today view the world through the prism of 9/11 and the subsequent U.S. war on terrorism. Scholars from across America convened at a symposium at the University of Tampa to ponder the implications of these events on both the domestic environment and the international landscape. On the domestic side, one speaker shared the result of national polls that showed the impact on American youth, while another addressed the broader issue of 9/11's impact on the country's mental health. Another presenter focused on American cities as a likely arena for terrorist activity, while still another addressed the role of the media. Finally, five speakers engaged in a panel discussion on the tensions between providing homeland security and insuring civil liberties. A number of scholars also addressed the impact of 9/11 on various regions of the globe: Europe and the European Union, the Middle East, Pakistan and its surrounding areas, and Latin America. A final speaker focused on globalization as both cause and effect of 9/11, and began the difficult process of reminding ourselves that terrorism is bred by a host of factors, some of our own making. This book captures the essence of this daylong symposium. Hopefully, it provides a richer understanding of the unfolding consequences of this seminal event in U.S. history.