IWM is marking 20 years since the 9/11 terror attacks and exploring their global legacy in 9/11 Twenty Years On.

Conflict of Interest: 9/11

Conflict of Interest Podcast Series

A special episode of Conflict of Interest marking the twentieth anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001. The episode examines this hugely consequential moment in history which had massive impacts on the world of war and conflict, as well as all of our lives.

Conflict of Interest is a podcast series from the IWM Institute, exploring some of the world’s most complicated recent conflicts, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Celebrity guests are taken on a tour of IWM London, coming across the people, objects and stories which bring a conflict to life.

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Afghanistan War: How did 9/11 lead to a 20-year war?

Afghanistan video thumbnail

In 2001 an international coalition led by the USA invaded Afghanistan to destroy terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda when the Taliban refused to hand over Osama bin Laden. British forces went in alongside US troops. 

But, after 20 years of conflict, the Taliban again claim to be in control of Afghanistan.

In this video, we look at how the war in Afghanistan began, what Britain’s role was, and why the war lasted for 20 years.

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What were the 9/11 terrorist attacks?

Section of twisted and rusted steelwork from the collapsed World Trade Center

On 11 September 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger planes in the United States. 

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Remembering 9/11

  • Janice Brooks
    ©IWM

    Janice Brooks

    Janice Brooks worked on the 84th floor of Two World Trade Center. 

    She lost 61 colleagues on 11 September 2001 and in the aftermath of the attacks, would go on to help support others dealing with what had happened. 

  • David Loyn sitting in a room in Helmand, Afghanistan, editing after the fall of the Taliban
    David editing a report in Helmand, Afghanistan. Courtesy David Loyn

    Memories of 9/11

    The attacks on 9/11 had a profound impact on many people’s lives, shaping the direction that their lives took from this point on. Hear how seven people remember the events of that day. 

  • An identity security pass for entry into the World Trade Center buildings in New York, issued to a Deutsche Bank employee, David Hancock, with the poignant expiry date of 11 September 2001
    ©IWM (Documents.19699)

    A Global Story

    The events of 9/11 touched people around the world. Read personal accounts of those who remember that day - from people who were in New York to the schoolchildren who watched the events unfold on television from thousands of miles away. 

Explore the 9/11 Story at IWM

Visitors exploring IWM North's Main Exhibition Space
© IWM

IWM's collections include objects that tell the story of 9/11 and the events that followed.

Find out more about items that are on display at IWM London IWM Duxford and IWM North.

Read more > 

 

War in Afghanistan

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Britain joined an international military campaign in Afghanistan. Their mission was to find the leaders of al-Qaeda, remove the Taliban from power and reduce the threat from international terrorism. Find out more about what happened.

  • What was the British role in Afghanistan?

    British forces were sent to Afghanistan in 2011 as part of a coalition tasked with intervening to find the leaders of al-Qaeda after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

  • Afghanistan and the British Military

    Watch senior Army officers reflect on how the war in Afghanistan affected the British military.

  • Twenty Years of British Troops in Afghanistan

    Learn more about the role of British troops in Afghanistan after 9/11.

  • Remembering Wishtan

    2 Rifles were deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. Hear some of those who served reflect on what happened that year and how they came to terms with the loss of friends and colleagues while serving in one the most dangerous places in Helmand. 

  • 9/11 Wars Timeline

    Explore some of the key events of the wars that followed 9/11. 

Contemporary Conflict

 Explore other stories related to conflicts since 9/11.  

  • Saddam Hussein, Tony Blair and George Bush superimposed onto a map of Iraq

    The Iraq War 2003 Explained

    IWM curator Chris Cooper explores the timeline of events that led from the 9/11 terror attacks to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

  • Hetherington Libya video thumb

    Tim Hetherington's photojournalism in the Libyan Revolution 

    Find out how photojournalist Tim Hetherington captured the events of the Libyan Revolution. 

  • Lt Col Tim Collins, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group, addresses his troops about the forthcoming campaign, 5 March 2003.

    Important Facts about the Iraq War

    On 20 March 2003, a United States-led international coalition - which included Britain - launched an invasion of Iraq.

  • U.S Embassy London logo

    The 9/11 Twenty Years On activities at IWM are generously supported by the Embassy of the United States of America.