The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality Research Paper

The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality - Research Paper Example The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality Introduction After the 9/11 attacks, America realized that it could not trust anyone entering her borders. In response to the terrorist attacks, U.S. immediately began to develop an aggressive foreign policy. Resulting from the attacks, George Bush increased spending on defense and focused on protecting the country against future attacks (Wright, 2007). Changes in strategies, which focused on cracking down terrorists, were established; for example, the Department of Homeland Security was developed. This ensured safety of citizens and promoted domestic peace. The country also began investigations of illegal immigrants entering its borders. In addition, America also strengthened ties with Japan, Pakistan, and India. Change in the U.S. foreign policy was directed towards protecting businesses and citizens and defeating terrorist groups. The 9/11 attacks refer to a sequence of four suicide attacks which were committed in the U.S. on 11th Septem ber, 2001. The attacks were coordinated to strike Washington D.C. and New York City (Gow, 2002). The attacks were done by 19 terrorists from the terrorist group known as al-Qaeda, which is an Islamist militant group. During the attacks, the terrorists hijacked four jets carrying passengers. The group intentionally piloted two of the planes into the Twin Towers, making the towers collapse. This destroyed the World Trade Center complex located in the New York City. The group also directed American Airlines Flight 77 to the Pentagon in Virginia. However, the group’s intention to direct the fourth plane to a target in Washington failed after the plane crashed near Shanksville when its passengers tried to take control of the plane (Wyndham, 2011). The attacks led to deaths of approximately 3000 people: all the passengers boarding the four planes died together with all the 19 hijackers, and 227 civilians died from the attacks. Osama, the leader of the terrorist group, admitted resp onsibility for the attacks after several investigations. Osama and his group gave the United States reasons for establishing the 9/11 attacks. Some of the reasons for the attacks include support of Israel by the U.S, the existence of U.S. army in Saudi Arabia, and U.S. sanctions against Iraq (Bodden, 2007). The United States responded to the 9/11 attacks through initiating the war on terror policy and invading Afghanistan with a mission of disposing the Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaeda. The attacks made most countries strengthen their antiterrorism laws and develop law enforcement powers (Scott, 2007). Political and Non-State Actors Both political and non-state actors were involved in one way or another during the event of 9/11. The political actors involved include the president and the Congress. The president during the event was George Bush, who reacted to the event with a lot of aggressiveness. The president played a role during the event through acting swiftly in addressing t he issue of rescue and recovery. The president addressed the issue through setting up relief funds which assisted the victims of the attacks (Wyndham, 2011). The relief funds provided financial assistance to several survivors of the attacks and to the different families of the victims. The president also played a role in guiding the Congress in amending changes,