Did We Win the War on Terror?
Summary
Host Steve Hayes and guests Jonah Goldberg, Mike Nelson, and David French reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, sharing personal memories from that day. They discuss how the attacks reshaped their careers, including David’s decision to join the Army JAG Corps and Mike’s military deployments. The panel analyzes the U.S. response, debating the strategic merits of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq while acknowledging significant operational missteps.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: LinkedIn for small business
Introduction: 25th anniversary of 9/11
David's recollection: Law firm in Lexington
Steve's recollection: Washington DC and media
Jonah's recollection: Pendleton Rodeo
Mike's recollection: Army training in 2001
Shared experiences: Lack of video and confusion
Mike's military career: Iraq and Special Forces
Sponsor: VAE watch company
Sponsor: LinkedIn and public data
David's decision to join the Army JAG
David's deployment to Iraq in 2007
Jonah's personal life and career shift
Jonah's early career at Weekly Standard
Assessing the War on Terror strategy
Anthrax attacks and long-term security success
Expectations vs reality of the wars
Sponsors: LinkedIn and Caesar dog food
Cultural shifts: Media, Hollywood, and hate crimes
Political legacy and domestic surveillance
How 9/11 shaped modern politics and unity
Closing remarks and credits
Listen ad-free on Castria