On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, reflections on their long-term impact reveal a complex legacy marked by significant shifts both in the United States and the Middle East. While the attacks are widely seen as a pivotal moment resulting in profound consequences for America, a parallel and less discussed transformation has taken place in Saudi Arabia, the homeland of Osama bin Laden.

Since 2001, the United States has grappled with the aftermath of the attacks through two protracted and largely unwinnable wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. These conflicts not only strained American military and political resources but also contributed to domestic polarization and political upheaval. The trauma of the attacks and subsequent policies fueled discontent with established political elites, helping to usher in a presidency characterized by unconventional and divisive leadership. Critics argue this period saw a deterioration of civic norms and a further entanglement in Middle Eastern affairs, suggesting that the country has struggled to achieve clear strategic gains in the quarter-century since 9/11.

For his part, bin Laden’s stated objective was to challenge what he termed the “apostate regimes” in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia’s House of Saud. He envisioned restoring a vast caliphate reaching as far as Spain, a goal that has not been realized. Instead, the kingdom has taken a markedly different path from the one he envisaged. Saudi Arabia today presents itself as more socially open and aligned with Western interests than it was two decades ago. Recent years have seen the emergence of entertainment ventures, including international sports events such as hosting prominent boxing matches and revamping cultural institutions, alongside commercial developments like fine dining establishments. Women’s rights have advanced modestly, exemplified by the ability of women to drive and participate more visibly in public life.

These changes coincide with the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who this summer signed a significant nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States. His administration promotes modernization and economic diversification efforts aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s regional standing and potentially rivaling centers like Dubai for expatriate and investment appeal. However, this agenda is accompanied by a notable crackdown on dissent and political freedom, presenting a paradox for some observers who question the costs and motivations behind the reforms.

The contrasting outcomes for “far enemy” America and “near enemy” Saudi Arabia highlight a kind of dual defeat occasioned by 9/11. Whereas the United States has struggled with prolonged conflict and political turmoil, Saudi Arabia has survived the extremist challenges directed against it and has evolved into a more economically and socially liberal state within a controlled political framework. Bin Laden himself was exiled from Saudi Arabia early on for opposing its openness to Western influence, a stance that now appears increasingly isolated from the kingdom’s trajectory.

In broader historical context, 9/11 is often compared to Pearl Harbor, an event with clearer victors in the long term. Yet, the legacy of 9/11 is more ambiguous, characterized by disappointments on multiple fronts and a return to a geopolitical landscape dominated by nation-states and conventional conflicts. The attack reshaped global dynamics, but neither the victim nor the perpetrator achieved definitive success, leaving behind a complex and sobering historical chapter.