We could not fully understand 9/11

Those who see Sept. 11, 2001, as the landmark date for a new web of international relations are right to a certain extent. The pre and post 9/11 periods are so different that there could be no confusion between the two. The old balances, approaches and concepts no longer exist.

In the pre 9/11 period, the United States was a superpower also. It was affecting the entire world with its technology, military capability and economy. But, it had two fundamental sensitivities.

One was to uphold international law and the other was to take steps together with its allies. Headed by NATO, it was establishing regional alliances and in military interventions was attaching great care to get the U.N. involved.

The Americans considered themselves "immune from attacks". The American continent was like a castle. Those in that castle were comfortable, prosperous and feeling secure. There could be calamities in a friendly corner of the world, people could die but no one could touch America.

That castle was hit in the heart on Sept. 11. Something that could not be estimated or even thought of happened. All of a sudden, Americans felt themselves "weak and under threat". It meant that Americans could also be hit and no secure place was left on earth.

This incident affected all Americans (everyone from the men in the street to the president at the White House). America changed all of a sudden.

In 2001, the Bush administration had won the election by a razor-thin margin. It was giving the image of an administration that was not interested much with the world and one that was preparing to concentrate totally on American domestic politics.

Osama bin Laden struck a heavy and unforgetable blow to this giant. It hurt America a lot.

It stirred the bee hive.

The US changed all of a sudden
This incident made Washington mad and altered totally the approach of the Bush administration to the world.

"My country is under threat. The sole measure against this threat is to strike it at its heart, before it acts…" — the preemptive strike strategy was established.

The target was armed Islamic groups.

The place was the Middle East and southern Asia.

This development has changed everything.

The United States stopped talking of the many principles and concepts it remained loyal to until then.

It developed such a new way of thinking:

"I am the strongest country of the world. I have technological superiority. My armed forces have the capability of staging a war on three fronts. My economy is steering the global economy. No empire in history ever was as powerful as I am. Now I must go out of moulds and establish my order. Furthermore, the new order I will establish will be in the best interests of the entire world."

This new form of thinking was particularly spread among the new conservatives.

Thus, America opened Panodra’s box and set free the genii.

First Afghanistan, then Iraq
The Bush administration, shortly after Sept. 11, first hit Afghanistan, brought down the Taliban administration there, then placed Iraq on its target list and demolished the Saddam Hussein regime.

Though it failed in restructuring in both Afghanistan and Iraq in the post-war period, it proved its military might.

The executives of the Bush administration broke apart all the old moulds and acted with the "If needed, let both the borders and the regimes change" understanding.

Washington changed its approach to the Middle East, particularly towards the oil-rich Arab regimes.

In the past, those holding the oil resources in their hands, even if administered by bad governments, were supported.

Now, these regimes were introduced with the condition of "be accountable, be a more democratic administration and severe links with armed Islamic groups." Within this framework, Washington even started to look at the Saudi administration with a negative perception, which for years enjoyed the status of a vital ally.

They have turned to their allies and said "If you are with us, be with us. If you are not with us, go your way and cope with your own problems." They continued this policy even at the cost of a change in policies towards Germany, such a worthy ally of U.S. until now.

Headed by the U.N., the U.S. cared less of any alliance, did not let them get involved in the business. "Fed up with the small calculations of international bureaucracy, we shall do what’s required," Americans said.

The U.S. was modest in the past. It was not letting its power dominate, but rather seeking cooperation. Now, it has adopted a self-confident attitude, overlooking others.

9/11 affected Turkey also
At the point we have come, many people are asking the same questions:

"Is the U.S. with this approach excessively forcing its empire? Is this the beginning of the end?"

This discussion will continue for many years.

As has been the case with all empires, there will be the end to the American empire as well. However, it is impossble for this to happen in the next few years. The general attitudes of the American administrations and developments in the world will affect everything.

If we leave aside the long term and look at the short and medium term, Turkey is now a neighbor of the U.S. Ankara has to adjust its policies according to the realities rather that what some clans of Iraq said.

Are we (with the media, politicians and the military) aware of how big an earthquake the Sept. 11 has triggered?

I do not think so.