September 11 - five years on

Igot Taro contends that September 11 has had the effect of bringing the US and Russia closer – something that would have been unimaginable just five years ago. He points out that both countries have used the slogan "war on terror" to serve their own interests. "This slogan has enabled the US to get rid of what it regarded as problematic regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq and it has allowed Russia to go ahead with campaigns on its own soil: the war in Chechnya could now be fought as a war against terrorism… Since 9/11 it has become almost obligatory to seek a connection to al-Qaeda behind every shot fired. This has given Moscow an excuse to weaken federal structures: since the tragedy in Beslan, it has been able to take the necessary and long prepared steps virtually without opposition. Those who thought five years ago that the terrible tragedy in New York would induce the great powers to put aside their ambitions and join forces to create a better world were simply naïve."

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