The 9/11 terrorist attacks at 25: Assessing the legacy, addressing the future

Friday, September 11, 2026, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT 
Online: https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-9-11-terrorist-attacks-at-25-assessing-the-legacy-addressing-the-future 

This September marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The attacks and everything that followed reshaped American society, politics, the economy, national security, and the armed forces. The launch of the war on terror transformed U.S. Middle East policy and recast America's broader role in the world. A quarter of a century later, those effects continue to impact the country in ways that merit close examination.

Beyond prompting a reflection on how 9/11 reshaped the United States, the anniversary also offers an opportunity to assess how the terrorism threat has evolved since 2001, as well as to examine the future of terrorism -- especially the challenges posed by emerging technologies.  

On September 11, join the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Brookings for a series of discussions to explore these issues. The program will open with a keynote conversation with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who will reflect on the significance of 9/11 in the years since, followed by two panels: one on the lessons of the post-9/11 fight against terrorism, the other on the lasting implications of 9/11 for American politics, the economy, defense, and foreign policy. Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu.