What has prevented successful terrorist attacks on the American mainland since 9/11?

MikeGolf

The combination of defensive and offensive measures taken after 9/11.

Not only did we make it more difficult for them to launch an international attack on us via such measures as FISA. the patriot act, and other reforms - we went out and killed or captured just about all of AQs trained personnel.

One thing that people forget is the sheer numbers of AQ personnel we have killed in Iraq.

sparhawk7322

Law enforcement agencies cooperating to catch domestic terrorists.

forgivebutdonotforget911

#1. We have been keeping them too busy over there.

#2. It is easier for them to strike at the USA over there.

#3. Passengers on planes no longer sit in their seats when it appears someone is causing problems on the plane. They jump him.

#4. They do not want to give Bush another excuse to go nuts on them and invade another of their nations. (I think this the most likely reason. If a Democrat gets elected, expect attacks to resume in the USA.)

Ryan H.

FBI, CIA, local police agencies, And believe it of not Homeland security did some stuff.

HSVA

Not holding back our CIA, FBI, NSA.

And wiretaps.

artistagent116

Our show of force in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Karl L

IT TAKES A TRAGEDY TO GET PEOPLES ATTENTION

9/11 has been trying to get Americas attention for many years take the 1998 bombing of American Embassies and the the bombing of an American millitary ship in the 80s (I think)
The American government never took attention to Al Qaeda and thus thats why all those little bombings were possible,,,cos security lapsed over time, which is what the terrorists were relying on.
Also America was in tha ISOLATIIONIST MODE of not caring what happens in other countries.

9/11 made the government and Americans wake up. And it made you wake up cos it was a huge attack on your collective sense of security. AND IT WAS ALSO PERSONAL COS IT HAPPEND ON YOU HOMELAND IN THE ONE CITY THAT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD KNOWS.

Since then the government has taken steps to prevent such attacks from ever happening. This includes a beefed up immigration/documentation system. BEtter Airport security. A coordinated effort with Europe and the rest of the world and MORE SOFT POWER FOREIGN POLICY TO THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES. America understands that if somethng happens on the otherside of the planet it could comeback to to them one way or another.

And a good CIA/FBI spy campaign on the nations citizens is another reason like phone taps, internet hacking and other governmetn pillaging of your right to privacy.

Pfo

Perhaps our changes in policy, i.e. the Patriot Act. Terrorists have also become aware that their finances can be tracked.

They are also very patient, there's no reason to suspect that they have tried or planned an attack over the last 8 years.

janice h

Several things. The Patriot Act has led to greater surveillance of suspicious activity including monitoring phone calls between persons in the US and known terrorists. Working with other nations we have halted many terrorist attacks not only here but in other countries. I think the war in Afghanistan has shown the terrorists that we not only can fight back we will fight back. The war in Iraq has shown the terrorists that we will seek them out and try to destroy them in their hide outs. The two fronts have kept the terrorists busy and this too has prevented further attacks on the homeland.

justLookin

Still in planning phase. And actually - which is causing more damage?

Another "attack?"--- or the endless stupid Iraqi War with its endless loss of lives, endless financial drain in the TRILLIONS, with the end result being the rising and continuing and growing HATRED of All Things American?

The terrorists are actually WINNING, my friend. Does not have to come in the form of a blatant "attack."

The destruction we are currently experiencing, completely because of how bush is handling this, is MUCH more detrimental to the country than the mere loss of lives of 3 thousand people.

THANKS GEORGE.

Lurch

The Patriot Act has helped a lot. Perhaps if Bill Clinton had enacted such legislation after the first WTC bombing in 1993 we would never have suffered 9/11.

To the guy who said they didn't try it again, you must not read the news. Don't you remember the plot to explode bombs at New York City airports about two years ago that the FBI intercepted?

Scourge 0' Fascism

They could attack us if they wanted. No way we could prevent every attack. But the fact is, they haven't wanted to, since they have us where they want us: bogged down in a Middle Eastern war, bleeding to bankruptcy like the Soviet Union.

cutarescu80

nothing, they just didn't try any more...

Carrie B

i dont think we have, i think there just waiting till the right time, that's what they do

qwerty

Those things take a long time to plan. Your garden variety terrorists tend to have a wicked sense for detail, let alone the masterminds.
Don't worry. It will happen again. Likely sooner than later.

Morbius

The people crediting action taken since 9/11 are ignoring the fact that we went a longer period of time without attacks between the first WTC bombing in 1993 and 9/11.

whywhywhy713

the Kite runner

EVANS HERE YAY!!! WHAT A BIG GUY

9/11 was not a terrorist but our own country against its self.

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