Out of the Clear Sky

The blue of the clouds on Sept. 11, 2001 is reflected in the newly opened memorial to the incident. The vivid museum reminds us of how strongly the attacks affected the American psyche. The U.S. experienced shock and bereavement, then aggression, polarization and the perversion of justice. Only now has the phase of reflection begun.

Whoever lived through the events of 9/11 remembers the sky, a late summer East Coast sky, free from both clouds and mist. It was crystal clear. The sky was blue when the terrorists came flying, and it was blue when it was raining ashes over the streets of Manhattan. The sky was a symbol of a carefree U.S. years after the Cold War, and a symbol for the illusion that history would have an end, and that Americans would have nothing to fear any longer.

New York is now opening a memorial in remembrance of the terror attacks. This museum’s first visitors feel like they’ve been punched in the stomach. The only artwork is a blue wall made out of 2,984 pieces of paper, each painted in a different blue tone by the artist Spencer Finch. That many people died during the attacks on the World Trade Center. Finch wants to remember them, but he also wants to remember the sky: that deceptive, almost malicious, blue sky.

Terror came from the sky: On Sept. 11, the U.S. knew it was not safe from the rest of the world, from globalization, and al-Qaida, as one of its pathological consequences, could not be kept at bay forever. The Americans have since learned how vulnerable they are, not only to al-Qaida, but also to the natural force of Hurricane Katrina —against which the most powerful government on the planet could not do

anything — and one of the most devastating financial and economic crisis in decades.

The U.S. Reflects Internally — How Much Longer?

Since 2001, the U.S. has lived through different phases. After shock and bereavement, aggression, polarization and the perversion of justice followed, then relaxation, withdrawal and isolation. Only now, after a decade-long crisis begins the phase of self-examination. For instance, only now is the U.S. examining itself more thoroughly and having debates about the growing inequalities within its society.

The long-lasting effect of 9/11 is its influence on the American psyche. The security apparatus lives in constant fear. The less danger it sees, the more it feels endangered, and the more it wants to find out about the rest of the world. The National Security Agency affair is the consequence, and the mixed reactions coming from the people and president show the extent to which the syndrome of the blue September sky is affecting the country.

Even a comparison with Europeans shows us who the victims actually were in 2001, and who were just witnesses. To this day, when boarding a plane, several Americans could be thinking about Osama bin Ladin, and many would accept increased security if it meant they did not have to relive 9/11.

America is now looking for a new balance between security and freedom, a new relationship with the rest of the world. After the belligerent years of George W. Bush, Barack Obama is now doing the exact opposite, and does exactly what he has been elected for: ending wars and avoiding any possibility of new ones. He knows that his country does not have the money, power or will for a new adventure.

Obama is the president because he promises security. He is the president who minimizes risks and protects: on a daily basis, when he offers medical insurance; in crisis situations, by providing support during Hurricane Sandy; and in relation to foreign countries, when he orders soldiers to stay away from trouble spots and prevents terrorists from acquiring new targets to attack.

America Has Not Yet Found the Balance Between Freedom and Security

Indeed, this phase cannot go on forever. However, many Americans believe interventions have only ended in defeat. Yet, it does not please them that America is considered weak and insignificant, and autocrats like Russia’s Vladimir Putin can do whatever they wish. Already, during the pre-election campaigns that will decide who Obama’s successor will be, Republicans will be providing proposals on how the country can demonstrate its strength — whatever that means.

America has not yet found the balance between freedom and security, nor the balance between getting involved and not doing so. The U.S. might favor a period of isolation to recover, but this should be a loss for the rest of the world.

The memorial in Manhattan barely covers the context of the terror attacks, the founding of al-Qaida, or the suffering of countless Muslims. Still, to this day, when it comes to foreign policy, debates in Washington will mostly deal with clichés, such as strength and weakness. The world needs the United States, and Americans need to be reminded of the lessons learned from 9/11: A blue sky over America does not imply a worldwide summer.