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In my opinion, we were safer immediately after 9/11 than we are now. I am not sure whether we have been lucky as such but I think there are a number of factors that could contribute to why there hasn't been a terrorist attack on such a large scale in America since, or why we may feel/be made to feel safer.

Firstly, why do I think we are less safe now than immediately after 9/11? After a terrorist attack, especially one that is on such a mass scale, people are more vigilant and alert and security is heightened. The obvious or easier routes that terrorists may take are far more secured in the immediate aftermath and investigations start almost immediately. All of this makes it harder for terrorists to launch an attack and suspects or people involved need to keep a low profile for a while which is an additional obstacle.

It would make sense why we would be lulled into a false sense of security to feel safer now by there not having been another attack, as an attacker is likely to find the job and be more successful if he/she times it so that it takes place during a time when guards are let down and people are less suspecting - it makes them more vulnerable. And as time ticks on, security is not as fierce as it would have been at the time of the attack, and as other national and global matters take form, the government place their attentions elsewhere.

I do not believe in letting the threat of terrorism affect your life - it is the same as being afraid that you will be hit by a bus - you would never be able to leave your house. But in my opinion I think that we are in more danger now than before because we do not know when, where and how we could be attacked and we are back into our sense of routine which enables us to be easier targets. The mayhem caused and focus on terrorism has shifted by now which means that launching an attack would be less likely to be suspected and therefore protected against.

Also, I think that the fact that governmental security have become more astute to terrorism has meant that over the last few years, more people have become suspects and detained, plots have been foiled and the breeding of terrorism has been taken more seriously. Since plots have been foiled, it means that attacks were planned to take place, but we managed to stop them. Is that luck or a product of higher awareness that has produced more effective strategies? We wouldn't know.

Learn more about this author, Sumantha Dutta.
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