Some believed in the WMD myth and the Qaeda connection. Some were neocons with a grand plan to turn Iraqis American (and set off a domino effect of democracy in the region) at the point of a gun. Basically, the country was hysterical after 9/11, deep down wanted more extensive payback than just invading Afghanistan, and was very easily manipulated into supporting the Iraq invasion.

2) incorrect. 9/11 was extremely effective from the terrorists’ standpoint. It succeeded in ending the American euphoria of the ‘90s, and marked the start of a new, much darker era in our own history. The Patriot Act illustrated how much we devalued individual rights in favor of safety, because we were a scared nation. It helped lead to the kind of collapse in faith in institutions that challenge our democracy now. It succeeded in embroiling us in 2 forever wars, which sapped our resources and our national will - drawing us into those wars was probably the greatest objective of 9/11. Trillions of dollars and decades later, the Taliban is in control of Afghanistan as though we never invaded, and Iranian affiliates are thriving in Iraq.

As it happens, the single greatest beneficiary of our 2 forever wars has been…Iran. Terrorism is really the only tool to attack the greater power in an asymmetrical conflict, and I doubt there’s ever been an example of a more successful terrorist attack than 9/11. Think: Afghanistan destroyed the Soviet Union. Across the spectrum folks think American democracy is on life support - if that turns out to be true, history may look at 9/11 as the true death blow.
[Post edited by hoolstoptheheels at 02/01/2024 11:06AM]