Have the terrorists won?

On September 11, 2001, Professor of East European History at Yale University taught his third class. His chosen subject was provocation. He explained how Russian and Soviet secret services had mastered the art of manipulating adversaries to act against their own best interests, while appearing to have their own motivations. The professor emphasized that tragic events are not about the suffering they cause, but about how they prompt people to act in ways that harm themselves further.

He went on to discuss the prevalence of terror acts throughout history. The crucial question, he told his students, was not how to prevent every terrible event, but what response we should have to such incidents. He contended that American actions in the aftermath of 9/11 were precisely what the terrorists had desired. In fact, the professor suggested, America's response may have even surpassed the terrorists' expectations, leading to a worsening of the world situation for the United States and the rest of the world.

The professor argued that the most appropriate response to 9/11 should have been to free ourselves from our dependence on fossil fuels. By reducing our reliance on these non-renewable energy sources, America and the world could begin to address the urgent environmental challenges we face.