STEPS UNDERTAKEN TO PRVENT FUTURE ATTACKS ON THE US SOIL
“Remember the hours after September 11th when we came together as one to answer the attack against our homeland. We drew strength when our fire-fighters ran upstairs and risked their lives so that others might live; when rescuers rushed into smoke and fire at the Pentagon; when the men and women of Flight 93 sacrificed themselves to save our nation’s Capital; when flags were hanging from front porches all across America, and strangers became friends. It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us.” – John Kerry (Senator-2001, incumbent Secretary of state)
True to the above words 11th of September 2001, was indeed a day which traumatized USA and the whole world as one. The World Trade centre in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia and the capital Washington DC all under the Washington metropolitan area, the power hub of USA being under attack at the same time posed an imminent threat on USA’s national security. The impact the attack had could be still seen in the current context, even after 14 years. Many steps and protocols were taken to avoid another catastrophe occurring again.
The immediate aftermath response of the US government was the activation of the DEFCON level 3 defence protocol by the then Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. It kept the US air force and NORAD ready to bring down any unidentified air planes and to attack any threats posed on USA. It was likely that DEFCON level 2 protocol was also readied to strike any enemy down with nuclear weapons. Along with the DEFCON activation, the SCATANA, Security Control of Air Traffic and Air Navigation Aids protocol was also activated, meaning that all civilian air travel was grounded.
The 9/11 attack paved way for many reforms in the avenues of National Security, Defence strategies and Foreign policies of the US government and world organizations. The UN Security Council condemned the attack and adopted...