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a hornets nest and rather than decreasing the global terrorist threat, it has actually increased the danger. Despite international terrorist cells being more fragmented than before 9/11, they are no less strong with Al Qaeda claiming responsibility for the majority of terrorist attacks, such as the London bombings of July the 7th. This attack especially has placed more and more pressure on Europe from America, with Europe now being put in a position where it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay neutral in the War on Terror.

In the UK, Tony Blair has called for changes in international law to legitimise pre-emptive military action against rogue states that are believed to be sponsoring terror or developing weapons of mass destruction, co-operated with terrorists. The threat posed by Islamic extremism and global terrorism has meant a sea-change in the traditional convention that the only case for armed intervention was self-defence. Having sent British forces off to war four times since he came to power in 1997 (Iraq, Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan), Blair has used the morality' argument to justify these and future actions. Indeed, the morality argument is being used more and more by Blair to justify British military action in the face of growing dissent on the home front.

Elsewhere in global politics, the way in which America confronts new agenda' items, such as human rights and the environment, has also been affected by the events of 9/11 with the US often proving an obstruction to international agreement. For example, it continues in its refusal to regulate its emissions of greenhouse gases. Also, America has been a stumbling block in regards to international trade.

As we have seen, the events of the 11th of September, 2001 have had significant effects on the way in which approaches US international relations. America is clearly identifying new adversaries in the changing global political climate and in the War on Terror' has altered perspectives on how wars are fought and, indeed, how they will be fought in the future. America has placed itself at the very top of the global pecking order, has declared you are either with us or against us', and seemingly is prepared to use any means to destroy its perceived enemies. Through, its policies post-9/11, America is alienating many former allies and through its aggression towards the Middle-East, is placing them at a greater risk of terrorist attack than ever. International human rights and civil liberties, the environment and world trade have also been adversely affected by the US' current approaches to international relations.

It appears as if the Bush administration remains committed to ushering the new world order in the War on Terror. Having the political authority to go to war without the backing of the UN and to pass draconian laws affecting the civil liberties of the American people in the name of Homeland Security' George Bush can potentially wield more power than any American president before or since. The world has become a much more volatile and frightening place after the events of 9/11 and if America's current approach to international relations continues, things look set to get worse before they get better.

Learn more about this author, Peter Reilly.
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