Date: October 5, 2004 Creator: Nanto, Dick K. Description: The
9/11 attacks were part of Al Qaeda’s strategy to disrupt Western
economies and impose both direct and secondary costs on the
United States and other nations. The immediate costs were the
physical damage, loss of lives and earnings, slower world
economic growth, and capital losses on stock markets. Indirect
costs include higher insurance and shipping fees, diversion of
time and resources away from enhancing productivity to
protecting and insuring property, public loss of confidence, and
reduced demand for travel and tourism. In a broader sense, the
9/11 attacks led to the invasions and occupations of Afghanistan
and Iraq (and the Global War on Terrorism) and perhaps
emboldened terrorists to attack in Bali, Spain, Morocco, and
Saudi Arabia. A policy question for Congress is how to evaluate
the costs and benefits of further spending to counter terrorism
and its economic impact. Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Government Documents Department