Posted on Dec 19, 2023
The 9/11 Parable: What Can Israel Learn from the United States’ Post-9/11 Counterterrorism Experience?
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In the wake of the horrific and devastating attacks by HAMAS against Israel, some have drawn comparisons, likening it Israel’s 9/11. The United States underwent a transformation of its counterterrorism strategies following 9/11. In much the same way, Israel may well now face the formidable challenge of reassessing its approach to counterterrorism following the October 7th terrorist attack.
What can Israel learn from the post-9/11 experience of the United States?
The evolution of U.S. counterterrorism policy in the post-9/11 era provides valuable insights for Israel in this moment. My research as part of a PhD dissertation into the development and evolution of U.S. counterterrorism policy during the 20 years following 9/11 revealed four distinct "profiles for policymakers engaging in counterterrorism: The Commander, The Prosecutor, The Negotiator, and The Doctor. Bush, Obama, and Trump respectively adopted the first three policymaker profiles. Notably, none of the post-9/11 U.S. presidents adopted The Doctor profile. Why?
The Doctor is the most complex of the four profiles to implement because it calls for the contemplation of the maximum amount of information with the most open decisionmaking mindset. A policymaker who is a “Doctor” relies on iteration to identify the root cause drivers of the terrorism threat and then develops a policy solution. The challenge with this policy approach is it takes time and, thereby, could be perceived as indecisive – a less preferable image for political leaders during a crisis. All the while, The Doctor must manage the need for closure in society regarding the terrorist event, which is extremely difficult particularly given the horrific nature of terrorism as we witnessed through HAMAS’ October 7th terrorist attack.
But if The Doctor can be effectively implemented, it holds the promise of decisively addressing the terrorism because any response would be based on more complete information than was available in the days and weeks following the terrorist attack. This is a critical difference between The Doctor and the other policy profiles because they tend to quickly and immediately move to closure often based on incomplete and even inaccurate information.
During the Bush Administration, we witnessed the negative effects and risks of reflexively bending to the immediate need for closure and making decisions based on incomplete and inaccurate information. My research categorized the Bush Administration as a “Commander” – aiming to swiftly resolve the crisis of 9/11 by responding based on the information available in the immediate aftermath but not the after-action review. Although this approach seemed to be the right path in the crisis moment given the horrific aftermath of 9/11, it proved less effective over time. Indeed, rapid decisions based on incomplete and inaccurate information – spanning from the Bush to Obama administrations – resulted in multiple conflicts that had the effect of reducing nation-state and regional stability – not enhancing it – as well as the proliferation, geographic expansion, and evolution of terrorist groups and their jihadist ideology.
The experience of the The Commander approach to counterterrorism suggests effective counterterrorism policy certainly includes curtailing the immediate threat – but goes beyond that.
Effective counterterrorism entails preventing the cancer of terrorism from expanding and destabilizing nation-states and regions. This why a “Doctor” is needed for counterterrorism. The Doctor treats the cancer (terrorism) but is simultaneously mindful of not killing the body (nation-state and regional stability).
Following the October 7 th attacks, adopting The Doctor would entail recognizing the cancer of Iran and its network of proxy organizations and addressing them systematically and precisely. It would also acknowledge that counterterrorism efforts must extend beyond the immediate response to prevent the emergence of new extremists. The Doctor would also not lose sight of opportunities to structurally change the context through measures such as normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel even in the face of the immediate crisis.
The United States and Israel should consider adopting The Doctor approach to counterterrorism at this pivotal moment to guard against re-learning the lessons of 9/11. Because it is through these lessons that a more stable future for the Middle East and beyond can be achieved.
Alex Gallo is the author of “Vetspective,” a RallyPoint series that discusses national security, foreign policy, politics, and society. He is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs at Leiden University and a fellow with George Mason University’s National Security Institute and the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Alex is also an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University and a US Army Veteran.
Follow him on Twitter at @AlexGalloCMP.
What can Israel learn from the post-9/11 experience of the United States?
The evolution of U.S. counterterrorism policy in the post-9/11 era provides valuable insights for Israel in this moment. My research as part of a PhD dissertation into the development and evolution of U.S. counterterrorism policy during the 20 years following 9/11 revealed four distinct "profiles for policymakers engaging in counterterrorism: The Commander, The Prosecutor, The Negotiator, and The Doctor. Bush, Obama, and Trump respectively adopted the first three policymaker profiles. Notably, none of the post-9/11 U.S. presidents adopted The Doctor profile. Why?
The Doctor is the most complex of the four profiles to implement because it calls for the contemplation of the maximum amount of information with the most open decisionmaking mindset. A policymaker who is a “Doctor” relies on iteration to identify the root cause drivers of the terrorism threat and then develops a policy solution. The challenge with this policy approach is it takes time and, thereby, could be perceived as indecisive – a less preferable image for political leaders during a crisis. All the while, The Doctor must manage the need for closure in society regarding the terrorist event, which is extremely difficult particularly given the horrific nature of terrorism as we witnessed through HAMAS’ October 7th terrorist attack.
But if The Doctor can be effectively implemented, it holds the promise of decisively addressing the terrorism because any response would be based on more complete information than was available in the days and weeks following the terrorist attack. This is a critical difference between The Doctor and the other policy profiles because they tend to quickly and immediately move to closure often based on incomplete and even inaccurate information.
During the Bush Administration, we witnessed the negative effects and risks of reflexively bending to the immediate need for closure and making decisions based on incomplete and inaccurate information. My research categorized the Bush Administration as a “Commander” – aiming to swiftly resolve the crisis of 9/11 by responding based on the information available in the immediate aftermath but not the after-action review. Although this approach seemed to be the right path in the crisis moment given the horrific aftermath of 9/11, it proved less effective over time. Indeed, rapid decisions based on incomplete and inaccurate information – spanning from the Bush to Obama administrations – resulted in multiple conflicts that had the effect of reducing nation-state and regional stability – not enhancing it – as well as the proliferation, geographic expansion, and evolution of terrorist groups and their jihadist ideology.
The experience of the The Commander approach to counterterrorism suggests effective counterterrorism policy certainly includes curtailing the immediate threat – but goes beyond that.
Effective counterterrorism entails preventing the cancer of terrorism from expanding and destabilizing nation-states and regions. This why a “Doctor” is needed for counterterrorism. The Doctor treats the cancer (terrorism) but is simultaneously mindful of not killing the body (nation-state and regional stability).
Following the October 7 th attacks, adopting The Doctor would entail recognizing the cancer of Iran and its network of proxy organizations and addressing them systematically and precisely. It would also acknowledge that counterterrorism efforts must extend beyond the immediate response to prevent the emergence of new extremists. The Doctor would also not lose sight of opportunities to structurally change the context through measures such as normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel even in the face of the immediate crisis.
The United States and Israel should consider adopting The Doctor approach to counterterrorism at this pivotal moment to guard against re-learning the lessons of 9/11. Because it is through these lessons that a more stable future for the Middle East and beyond can be achieved.
Alex Gallo is the author of “Vetspective,” a RallyPoint series that discusses national security, foreign policy, politics, and society. He is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs at Leiden University and a fellow with George Mason University’s National Security Institute and the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Alex is also an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University and a US Army Veteran.
Follow him on Twitter at @AlexGalloCMP.
Edited 6 mo ago
Posted 6 mo ago
Responses: 32
Sorry I am late to the party. The US has forgotten everything it learned. We have let in more potential terrorists than any other eras combined. It is too late at this point, we need to close the border and begin the intel fight to find and root out the cells (plural) that have already stood up. Our only hope is vigilance and reporting, and a government that enforces the laws on the books.
I pray for the safety of all US citizens, and legal residents. I pray that our leaders and the Law root out the evil from within while identifying those who have reason for asylum and continue our legal path to residency and possible citizenship.
Lastly, the leaders who support lawlessness at the border and within should pay for aiding and abetting any illegal who conducts illegal acts within our borders. Presidence has been set by the parents recently convicted of manslaughter based on the sons conviction for killing four and wounding seven of our nations children. These children have families, but their safety is on every adault in the country. Children count on adults to make their world safe. We have failed. More directly our local, state and federal governments have faile. If I were the family of anyone hurt by an illegal I would sue these governments.
The RP
Presidence has been set. God save our children, so many have already been taken, this who support this sad state of security should pay.
Sorry for the rant, it is not political, it is about who we are as a people.
I pray for the safety of all US citizens, and legal residents. I pray that our leaders and the Law root out the evil from within while identifying those who have reason for asylum and continue our legal path to residency and possible citizenship.
Lastly, the leaders who support lawlessness at the border and within should pay for aiding and abetting any illegal who conducts illegal acts within our borders. Presidence has been set by the parents recently convicted of manslaughter based on the sons conviction for killing four and wounding seven of our nations children. These children have families, but their safety is on every adault in the country. Children count on adults to make their world safe. We have failed. More directly our local, state and federal governments have faile. If I were the family of anyone hurt by an illegal I would sue these governments.
The RP
Presidence has been set. God save our children, so many have already been taken, this who support this sad state of security should pay.
Sorry for the rant, it is not political, it is about who we are as a people.
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Keep the bad guys alive long enough to get any intel needed then put one in the back of their heads. They aren't sorry and never will be. They can't be rehabilitated anymore than a pedo can be and are nothing more than a drain on finite resources. If given a 2nd chance, they'll learn from their mistake and make you pay for it.
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The things to take away when dealing with these terrorists:
1) They believe that they are following the will of their god. You will not change their mind or get them to see your thinking.
2) They believe it is a Holy War and that if they die in battle, they are a martyr and go straight to heaven.
3) They have a history of conflict with Jews and those that support them. It dates back 10,000 years, and it will never change; it is the story of the rejected child against the younger favorite child. It is a family feud and we all know how nasty those are.
4) When an opponent does not fear death, the only thing you can do is eliminate them with extreme prejudice.
The Israel/Palestinian issue will never be solved as long as both sides fail to see that both are at fault. All we can do is see which side did not fly airplanes into our buildings and not plant bomb places and kill our people.
1) They believe that they are following the will of their god. You will not change their mind or get them to see your thinking.
2) They believe it is a Holy War and that if they die in battle, they are a martyr and go straight to heaven.
3) They have a history of conflict with Jews and those that support them. It dates back 10,000 years, and it will never change; it is the story of the rejected child against the younger favorite child. It is a family feud and we all know how nasty those are.
4) When an opponent does not fear death, the only thing you can do is eliminate them with extreme prejudice.
The Israel/Palestinian issue will never be solved as long as both sides fail to see that both are at fault. All we can do is see which side did not fly airplanes into our buildings and not plant bomb places and kill our people.
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SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM
I believe all but few wars are biblical, If you think we went over 911/ that was cover up. Read about what Hitler was hiding. then you will know what Iraq was hiding.
Portales.....or some type of weaponry
Portales.....or some type of weaponry
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SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM
2) above- have you looked at the old world maps?
A God is a GOD and I believe everyone prays or worships some type of GOD but they call it something different.
Where is the Holy land really?
WArs have been happening since BC
BIBICAL MARTYR's
A God is a GOD and I believe everyone prays or worships some type of GOD but they call it something different.
Where is the Holy land really?
WArs have been happening since BC
BIBICAL MARTYR's
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Suspended Profile
Very intriguing conceptualization. Definitely has explanatory and prescriptive power. Worth exploring and expanding further. Well done!
REDACT SAUDI ARABIA FROM THE REPORT ........................... GO TO A COUNTRY NOT AT ALL INVOLVED IN THE ACT ..........................BLOW THE FUCK OUT OF IT FOR 20 YEARS ....................... GIVE IT BACK TO THE TERRORISTS
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