Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror

A really in-depth and thorough view of 9/11. I think so many of us have seen documentaries or at least coverage on September 11 but not so much the aftermath and 19 years of war. Astounding but somewhat conceivable at the same time how Congress only had 1 person challenge the decision to give Bush an open mandate to declare a broad war on Terror. Hindsight is also 20/20. It shows how critical foreign policy is and how no robust strategy or plan has emerged over 19 years. I found this a very sobering documentary, there were no winners in this. The world paid a dear price with this deadly attack and its plagued us in various forms and countries ever since.

Pretty extensive history, starting with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and ending with the Americans leaving in 2021. Some political figures and veterans who were involved comment. Consequences of the war and political decisions are discussed.

Overall this documentary was substantial and well-researched as far as I can tell. One remark: I wish it would have covered some backstory on the pilots and their radicalisation in Germany.

This is a fairly well-researched account of the events that eventually led to 9/11, and more so of what an absolute mess the aftermath was.

What this means is that the makers do not shy away from what is of course a universally known truth - that Islamic fundamentalism was fostered, nurtured and funded by the USA. It does pick a somewhat convenient starting point - the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which was itself the culmination of a series of coups and counter-coups, but it does show how the pattern remains the same since then: no one in power cares about the long-term consequences of their actions.

This is also evident when discussing the war in Afghanistan: most inverviewees agree that there was no clear goal there whatsoever - despite of whether they agree that there was reason to go to war, the plan of action was non-existent. Indeed, apart from eventually assassinating bin Laden, almost nothing that the US did in Afghanistan had anything to do with 9/11.

By the way, the series is quite critical of Obama, so I am not sure what some reviewers are arguing about. That it criticises Bush first? That's not leftist propaganda, people. Bush and his cronies (and anyone else you want, Obama, Trump, just add a name to the list and you'll probably be right) are guilty of crimes against humanity - this is a pretty widely accepted view worldwide.

The political analysis aside, it would be a mistake not to point out that it also manages to give a respectful and harrowing account of the 9/11 attacks themselves. But it is a terrible mistake to stick to this only. The signs were all there then. Other signs all here now.

I have to say I cannot remember the last time I have been this touched by a documentary. It tells a story starting with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and ending with the Americans leaving after 20 years of war.

The footage from September 11 was truly harrowing, the interviews were interesting and very informative. I was especially touched by the veterans.

Put your political views aside and just watch. The series will bring you back to 2001 and remind you where you were when you heard and saw this horrible event happen.