International Al Jazeera English
How 9/11 Rebranded 'Terrorism' as a Legitimate Tool of National Security Warfare
After 9/11, the US government adopted a new lexicon for counterterrorism, shifting from terms like 'torture' to euphemisms such as 'enhanced interrogation.' The post-9/11 era also saw the use of extraordinary rendition and the designation of detainees as enemy combatants.
The 9/11 attacks led to a significant shift in the language of conflict, as terms such as 'enhanced interrogation' replaced traditional torture, and 'extraordinary rendition' emerged as a euphemism for cross-border suspect transfers. The US government also designated Guantanamo Bay detainees as enemy combatants, marking a significant expansion of wartime powers. These changes reflect the evolution of counterterrorism strategies in response to the 9/11 attacks. The new terminology has raised concerns about accountability and human rights.
Brief written with AI from reporting by Al Jazeera English. All rights to the original story belong to the publisher.