On the morning of September 11, 2001, Javed Ali drove by the Pentagon on his way to work in northern Virginia. Just half an hour later, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building. From his Falls Church office, Ali witnessed smoke billowing from the Pentagon. A year on, he found himself working in the Defense Intelligence Agency’s counterterrorism office in the damaged structure.
Thousands of Americans continue to suffer from the toxic effects of 9/11, decades later. Ali described working at the Pentagon as an eerie and surreal career moment. His journey led him through the Department of Homeland Security and later to the FBI, providing him a unique perspective on U.S. national security post-9/11. This security infrastructure now presents a paradox.
The post-9/11 system seems to have made another large-scale attack less likely. There have been no terrorist events of similar scale to 9/11, which took 2,977 lives. U.S. intelligence and military operations disrupted much of the al Qaeda network responsible, creating new agencies and systems to shield against similar threats. A 2026 intelligence assessment says counterterrorism efforts have hindered al Qaeda and ISIS from reorganizing and planning major attacks.
However, the risks evolved. Terrorism has shifted to involve lone actors radicalized online, small cells with minimal warning, and cyber threats. The question remains if Americans are truly safer.
The American response post-9/11 was extensive. Within two months, the Transportation Security Administration was created. It was described as the largest civilian project by the government at the time, taking over airport security responsibilities. In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security merged 22 federal agencies, now employing over 260,000 people in security, intelligence, and emergency roles.
The 9/11 Commission highlighted failures in responsibility and accountability among agencies. The system was revamped in the following decades to address these gaps. The Costs of War project estimates about $8 trillion spent and $1.1 trillion of it on internal security efforts since the DHS inception.
Threats continued post-9/11. While U.S. forces dismantled parts of al Qaeda, the organization tried re-establishing itself. The threat evolved with ISIS, which rose rapidly during conflicts in Iraq and Syria. It declared a caliphate in 2014 and controlled large territories. U.S. officials shifted focus to individuals radicalizing domestically, diverging from organized group operations.
Recent terrorist threats lack the large-scale planning seen in 9/11. Many recent threats involve lone actors who are radicalized online. The Director of National Intelligence’s 2026 assessment states these individuals are a significant threat as they are hard to detect and disrupt.
Former officials argue that Washington’s post-9/11 strategy became too bureaucratic, focusing on old threats rather than evolving vulnerabilities. Some advocate for a more agile national security approach targeting real enemies.
Beyond terrorism, the 2026 threat assessment warns about cyber threats from state actors like China and Russia. These threats target U.S. infrastructure and data, reflecting an expanded security landscape. Ali believes emerging terrorist threats must be addressed early to prevent operational potential. The lesson remains that counterterrorism should remain a priority to avoid complacency.
Terrorism tactics might never be completely defeated, as they continuously evolve. Although the U.S. is protected against another 9/11-type event, it’s now crucial to detect threats that may differ significantly in nature and execution.
Effie Lachter is a seasoned reporter with experience in global affairs and political accountability. Her work includes covering conflict zones and human rights issues across multiple continents. She has received multiple awards, including the 2022 Peres Center for Peace Award.
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