Film Lens
The film features an extended interview with Dick Cheney, focusing on his reflections regarding the September 11 attacks and the subsequent global war on terror. Cheney discusses the immediate response to the attacks, including President George W. Bush's determination that it was an Al-Qaeda attack, which shifted the U.S. approach from treating terrorism as a law enforcement issue to recognizing it as an act of war. This change in perspective led to the development of the Bush Doctrine, which held nations accountable for harboring terrorists.
Cheney articulates the gravity of the situation, noting that the attacks resulted in the loss of 3,000 lives in a single morning. He emphasizes the historical significance of this moment, suggesting that it marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy, fundamentally altering how the government would respond to terrorism in the future.
Why Watch
- •See Cheney's perspective on the September 11 attacks.
- •Find out how the Bush Doctrine changed U.S. policy.
- •Meet key figures involved in the global war on terror.
Did You Know
•3,000 people were lost in the September 11 attacks in a single morning.
•The Bush Doctrine emerged as a response to the September 11 attacks.
•Before 9/11, terrorism was treated as a law enforcement issue.
Perfect For
U.S. foreign policyTerrorism studiesPolitical history