1) Before 9/11, the US had little experience with terrorism compared to other Western countries, as it considered itself relatively safe from external attacks. 2) Some argue that US interventionist foreign policy decisions following the fall of the USSR, including increasing Middle East involvement and military interventions, contributed to growing anti-American sentiment and terrorist attacks. 3) The 9/11 attacks marked a major terrorist event on US soil and prompted the US to adopt a new foreign policy language and approach centered around counterterrorism, including controversial programs like extraordinary rendition and new security partnerships.