The 9/11 Attacks: A Defining Moment in Modern History

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  The 9/11 Attacks : A Defining Moment in Modern History The attacks on September 11, 2001, widely referred to as 9/11 , stand as one of the most significant events in modern history. On that day, 19 terrorists associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda carried out coordinated attacks on U.S. soil, killing nearly 3,000 people, injuring thousands more, and shaking the global order. The attacks led to profound changes in U.S. domestic and foreign policy, triggering wars, reshaping global security strategies, and influencing international relations for decades. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the events of 9/11, its causes, immediate impact, and long-term consequences on the United States and the world. The Events of September 11, 2001 On the morning of September 11, 2001, four commercial airplanes were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. Their plan was to use these airplanes as weapons against iconic American landmarks. First Attack - American Airlines Flight...

TAIWAN: THE NUCLEAR FLASH POINT?

 TAIWAN: THE NUCLEAR FLASH POINT?

The issue of Taiwan has been the center stage of tensions between China and Taiwan and China and the US recently. It was an unprecedented incursion by Chinese warplanes into the air space of Taiwan on the occasion of China’s Independence Day which led to an uptick in tensions between China and Taiwan and China and the US.

After the end of Chinese civil war in 1949 with the victory of communist forces led by Mao Ze Deng, the nationalist sections established their Republic of China in a tiny island almost 180 km off the Chinese coast. This iceland is known as Taiwan, and it is the root cause of many tensions in the region.




China adheres to one China policy. It does not consider Taiwan as an independent state but an integral part of China. This policy is adopted by all countries who have diplomatic relations with China. Although the US and Western powers also subscribe to one China policy, they are very close to Taiwan and have “strong informal” relations with it. America sells defense equipment to Taiwan, and its forces are speculated to have been training Taiwanese forces for quite some time now.

Chinese President Xi categorically said on China’s independence day that reunification of Taiwan with China was part of his dream for China. He stressed that he wanted this reunification to be completed peacefully. At the same time, he condemned foreign interference into the Taiwan issue , which he dubbed as an internal issue of China.

However, to China’s chagrin, the Taiwanese PM once again vowed to disobey China and withstand Chinese pressure aimed at reunification. Her country is being supported by the US and the West.

This situation is very dangerous. Nationalism in China is rising under Xi. Trump’s anti China rhetoric has not been abandoned by Joe Biden, who is busy forming alliances to curtail Chinese influence in the region.He is strengthening alliances in the Asia Pacific, and the recent manifestation of this fact is the AUKUS. US naval forces have increased their presence in the South China Sea and Taiwan Straits. All these developments are bound to have negative effect on regional security, and Taiwan issue will further exacerbate tensions in the region.Now the question arises that what will be the future of Taiwan ? Will Xi try to use force to achieve reunification of Taiwan with China? What will be the response of the US and the West if it happens? Is America ready to take on China militarily for Taiwan? Such questions are raised by experts in the wake of current developments. Only time will tell which direction the Taiwan issue moves in.

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