The LRB Podcast Introducing ‘Aftershock: The War on Terror’
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Nov 15, 2025 Explore the profound impact of 9/11 and the War on Terror, as Daniel Soar examines the expansion of American power. Delve into the rhetoric of good versus evil and the portrayal of a vast terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden. Learn about the controversial tactics employed, including Guantánamo, drone strikes, and mass surveillance. Hear critical voices on the consequences of these actions and reflect on Dick Cheney's haunting prediction of an enduring conflict. This series promises an insightful revisit of a pivotal moment in history.
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The War Framed As Binary Moral Struggle
- The post-9/11 response framed a global, open-ended 'war on terror' that simplified complex threats into binary moral terms.
- That framing enabled an unprecedented expansion of US power across intelligence, law enforcement, and military tools.
State Power Reconfigured By Counterterrorism
- The war on terror reshaped state power via Guantánamo, drone strikes, mass surveillance and financial weaponisation.
- These measures extended American influence both domestically and internationally in new, lasting ways.
Rhetoric And Regrets About Interventions
- Voices in the record justify extreme actions with dehumanising language like "He walks like a terrorist, he talks like a terrorist".
- Critics later described interventions such as Iraq as destabilising mistakes and colonial-style occupations.