Rabbie
The US had been involved with Arabs/Muslims for decades including the funding of the takeover of land in Palestine. Arabs responded with an attack on embassies in Africa and a navy ship at Aden The US attacked a factory in Khartoum and caves in Afghanistan. Then 9/11. I looked at these all as battles in a war. 9.11 was a brilliant strategic move to knock out the heart and soul of the US - its financial district and military headquarters.  It failed. The quick recovery   was a measure of the strength and flexibility of the US.  

I wonder how the number of deaths in 9/11 compared with the deaths in Palestine?