9781422280232

O fficially, the 21st century began on January 1, 2001, but in hindsight, the months that followed seemed an interlude falling outside of time. The century was nine months old when, out of the blue sky of a bright fall morning, terror came rushing from the sky to announce that a new historical era had begun. The hideous symbolism of the outrage of September 11, 2001, was unmistakable: the twin towers of the World Trade Center were recognizable around the world as an image of the economic energy and enterprise of the United States. The Pentagon, in Washington, DC, was, and remains, the headquarters of the armed forces of the greatest military power the world has ever seen. There was nothing symbolic, however, about the thousands of in- nocent lives lost, the countless others injured, the grief of their families, or the pain of the United States as a whole. The terrorist fanatics of Al Qaeda had hurled down a bloody challenge to the world’s great- est democracy. Would it now collapse like a stricken skyscraper, or stand firm for freedom and justice? The global superpower had suddenly become vulnerable. How was it now to protect itself against an enemy who followed none of the old rules? President George W. Bush believed that the United States did have the resources and courage to fight back against terror. He recognized, however, that the struggle would call for new strategies, new attitudes, and new ways of working. With this end in mind, he estab- lished the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate the response of the many different agencies responsible for guaranteeing the safety of Americans.

Words to Understand Anti-Semitism: Hatred of Jewish people. Fascism: Form of government ruled by a harsh dictator who controls the lives of the people. Superpower: Extremely powerful nation.

H omeland S ecurity

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