"The tragedy of 9/11 galvanised the American superpower into action, leaving us in Europe divided in its wake"

In this quote, Douglas Hurd assesses the extensive impact that the occasions of September 11, 2001, had on both the United States and Europe. The phrase "The catastrophe of 9/11 galvanised the American superpower into action" acknowledges the instant and powerful response by the United States following the terrorist attacks. This action included military interventions, particularly in Afghanistan, as part of a more comprehensive War on Terror. Making use of the word "galvanised" suggests a change or an awakening of American foreign policy, encouraged by a desire to challenge and remove the perceived risks presented by terrorism on a worldwide scale.

The second part of the quote, "leaving us in Europe divided in its wake", records the complex and varied reactions of European countries to the United States' actions post-9/ 11. The divergence in European opinion can be credited to numerous elements, consisting of varying historical ties with the United States, varied national interests, and differed political approaches concerning military intervention and global relations. Some European countries, like the United Kingdom, strongly supported the United States' initiatives, including the invasion of Afghanistan and later Iraq. Other nations were more crucial, worried about the legitimacy and possible repercussions of such military actions, particularly the intrusion of Iraq in 2003, which had no direct link to the 9/11 attacks.

The divisions among European nations likewise highlighted more comprehensive debates within Europe about the nature of transatlantic relations and the function of Europe in global politics. It triggered conversations about Europe's capability to provide a united front in foreign policy matters and the level to which it should align with or distance itself from American policies. The quote therefore underscores not simply the instant political and military reactions to 9/11, however likewise the enduring geopolitical shifts and stress that the attacks triggered, ultimately improving global relations at the start of the 21st century.