"Prior to September 11, we thought the world beyond our shores was one world of risk and the world in our continent was another world of risk"

In this quote, John Ashcroft is referring to the state of mind of individuals before the awful events of September 11th. He describes that previous to this event, individuals believed that the world beyond their own continent was a place of threat and danger, while their own continent was seen as a much safer place. This suggests that there was a complacency and convenience in their own environments, and a worry of the unidentified beyond their borders. However, the occasions of September 11th shattered this belief and showed that risk and threat can exist anywhere, no matter geographical limits. Ashcroft's words function as a tip that we must constantly be vigilant and aware of potential dangers, both within and beyond our own borders.