Foreign Policy · 7 Sep, 04:29 · Technology briefing

25 Years After 9/11, What Are We Failing to Imagine Now?

Foreign Policy examines how the geopolitical and security paradigms established after the September 11 attacks have shaped the last quarter-century.

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The briefing

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Foreign Policy examines how the geopolitical and security paradigms established after the September 11 attacks have shaped the last quarter-century. The article questions whether current strategic frameworks adequately address emerging global threats, suggesting a potential failure to imagine new realities. It highlights the enduring influence of post-9/11 policies on international relations and domestic security, urging a critical reassessment of contemporary risk assessment models. This analysis serves as a prompt for professionals to consider how historical context influences current decision-making processes in an increasingly complex and unpredictable global environment.

Employer demand for Crisis Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

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This reflection demands that you rethink traditional risk assessment frameworks. Static security protocols are no longer sufficient; you must prioritise adaptive crisis management and strategic foresight. Professionals in leadership, policy, and operations should focus on developing scenarios for unprecedented disruptions. Enhance your ability to navigate ambiguity by studying geopolitical trends and systemic vulnerabilities. Do not rely solely on historical precedents. Instead, cultivate cognitive flexibility to anticipate novel threats. Update your professional development plan to include courses on strategic risk and complex systems. This shift positions you as a forward-thinking leader capable of guiding organisations through uncertainty, ensuring resilience against evolving global challenges that defy conventional imagination.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
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