Is America done bleeding?

11 years ago, this week, America was thrown into turmoil and panic as a series of hijacked planes flew and destroyed a number of National landmarks, landmarks symbolising development and prosperity.

The attack on the Twin Towers was an attack at the nation’s economic strength, while the Partial destruction of the pentagon struck the heart of the nation’s military strength. The story of the 11 years to follow is filled with vengeance, economic despair and hostility.

The successes of the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan and the capture of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden may be positive marks on the nations check sheet, but questions of its value and the cost of human lives involved cast a shadow over these accomplishments.

Looking forward, America has a number of internal and external conflicts coming to the fore which could have a large effect on its future relations with the world. The American presidential election later this year has brought many promises, not least in domestic matters of healthcare and economic recovery, which could transform the nation. Further afield, the death of an American diplomat in attacks on US missions in Libya and Egypt, just hours before America memorialised 9/11, show that relations between the West and the Arab world continue to be balanced on a strained thread.

It is no doubt that America’s image, both to its people and to the world, has been greatly changed by the events of 9/11 and in many ways it has exposed a reactive and lethargic nation. After losing its life blood morale through war casualties, economic collapse, policy uncertainty and strained global relations. When will America stop bleeding from 9/11.