Meditating Chaos: The Response of American Intellectuals to Threats and Acts of Terrorism: 1991-2011 Open Access

Abstract

In 1991, the Cold War came to an end. The United States was, for the first time in its history, unrivaled. Over the next two decades, America would contend with new threats entirely different from the nation-state antagonists of the last century. Terrorism had a profound effect on the country throughout this period. During this time, the American intellectual debate was in continuous flux, as traditional ideological boundaries melted away, and many prominent figures wandered among various intellectual camps. During three distinct periods -- 1991-2001, 2001-2003, 2003-2011 -- the absence or presence of terrorist attacks, the identity of the perpetrators, and the scale and aim of the assaults and government response all had a tremendous bearing on the priorities of American intellectuals. Indeed, the discussions that terrorism helped generate or refine often went on to transcend the subject confines of pure terrorism or counterterrorism. Over two decades, the Cold War intellectual structure had been substantively altered, with former partners now foes, and new alliances constructed.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1

The Historiography of Terrorism Studies

5

Part One: "The End of History"

12

- I. The United States and the Post-Cold War World: 1991-1993

13

- II. The Domestic Turn: Oklahoma City in Context: 1992-1995

15

- III. Al-Qaeda Comes to America: 1993-1998

22

- IV. America Responds: Intellectuals and the Reaction to the Rise of Osama bin Laden: 1998-2001

26

Part Two: The "Clash of Civilizations"

35

- I. The 9/11 Reaction and the Invasion of Afghanistan: Fall 2001 through Spring 2002

36

- II. Columbia Answers the Call: The Invasion of Afghanistan (Fall 2001) and the Question of Iraq

53

- III. The Invasion of Iraq: March-May, 2003

62

Part Three: War, Security, and the Revolt Against Multiculturalism

64

- I. The Iraq War: 2003-2011

65

- II. Intellectuals and American Counterterrorism Efforts: 2003-2011

78

- III. Islam and the West: 2004-2011

83

Conclusion

99

Bibliography

104

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	History
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	History, United States History, Modern
Keyword	American Intellectuals Terrorism: 1991-2011 Counterterrorism
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Allitt, Patrick, Emory University
Committee Members	Rogers, Thomas, Emory University Ladd, Barbara, Emory University

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