9-11 as an act of anti-Americanism : finger-pointing and political juggling : the Norwegian debate about September 11, 2001 and its aftermath

Abstract

The reasons for, and the effects of, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon September 11, 2001 were extensively discussed and analysed in the aftermath of the disaster,. Many theories have been presented in an effort to come to terms with the attacks, and a number of possible interpretations have been presented. This thesis examines one of those theories, namely that the 9-11 attacks may be seen as an expression of anti-Americanism. I have looked at the history of anti-Americanism, its origin in Europe, its development in the Middle East, before turning to the Norwegian debate. Looking at the exchange of views that took place in Aftenposten, Dagladet, Dagsavisen, Morgenbladet and Samtiden, I have considered to what extent the article writers understood the attacks as being acts of anti-Americanism, and consequently, how the phrase could be explained. Moreover, I have looked at whether or not the article writers defined the conflict between America and the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda as a war, and how methods used by both sides were means of justification for a continued conflict.