The primary consequence of the 9/11 attacks on U.S. foreign policy was the launch of the War on Terror. Following the attacks, the U.S. government took immediate and decisive military action against perceived threats, primarily targeting al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. This response marked a significant shift in American foreign policy, moving from a focus on traditional state-based threats to addressing non-state actors engaged in terrorism.
The War on Terror encompassed not just military action but also a broader approach to countering terrorism, which included a variety of measures such as intelligence reforms, increased surveillance, and a wide-ranging international coalition to combat terrorist groups across the globe. This involved significant military engagements beyond Afghanistan, influencing U.S. policy in regions like Iraq, Syria, and other countries believed to harbor terrorist organizations.
The other options, such as increased cooperation with European countries or the implementation of stricter immigration laws, were part of the wider implications of the 9/11 attacks, but they were not the central focus of U.S. foreign policy that directly emerged as a result of the attacks. Global warming initiatives, while important, did not take precedence in the national agenda following 9/11, as the immediate concerns revolved around national security and counter