Background and Introduction
The 9/11 attack has been one of the greatest disasters in the course of history, masterminded by a terrorist group called Al-Qaeda, headed by Osama bin Laden. On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and one in Pennsylvania. They did this because of their resentment against the United States for their interventionist policies and demonstrated grave lapses in security.Causing the deaths of 2,996 people, including 2,977 victims and 19 hijackers who committed murder-suicide. In reaction, it resulted in a sea change in the world situation; the US initiated …show more content…
Academic sources provide a deeper and more nuanced view. While popular sources focus on immediacy and engagement, academic sources give thorough analysis and context. Strengths and weaknesses The strengths and weaknesses of the portrayals of the 9/11 attacks in popular and academic sources are immense. Popular sources are good at immediately reporting what they see, giving in-depth, emotionally charged coverage relevant to the general public. For instance, BBC News reported, “The world was loud with carnage and sirens, and then quiet with missing voices that would never be heard again. But most of the time, they lack deep analysis, as is the case with academic sources. Academic sources, such as the article in Foreign Affairs, provide a detailed investigation of the causes and effects of the event. 'The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, killed nearly three thousand Americans, led to two major wars, and redefined the contours of U.S. foreign policy." This suggests that even though it might be difficult for the general public to read through the academic sources, they do indeed give a more complete and accurate portrayal of the disaster. Why It Happened The reasons behind the 9/11 attacks are really complex, and