War on Terror: What It Is, Who It Affects, and How It Shapes Global News

When we talk about the War on Terror, a global campaign launched by the U.S. after 9/11 to combat extremist groups and prevent future attacks. Also known as the Global War on Terrorism, it wasn't just a military effort—it changed how governments spy, travel, and talk about safety. This wasn’t a war with front lines. It was drone strikes in Yemen, raids in Afghanistan, surveillance programs in Europe, and airport screenings from Cape Town to Chicago. It reshaped alliances, turned intelligence into a daily news beat, and made security a top concern for ordinary people.

The counterterrorism, the strategies and operations used by governments to stop terrorist attacks before they happen became a billion-dollar industry. Countries built new agencies, passed emergency laws, and shared data across borders—sometimes without courts or public oversight. Meanwhile, U.S. foreign policy, the way the United States engages with other nations, often through military or economic pressure shifted dramatically. Invading Iraq under the claim of weapons of mass destruction, backing local militias in Syria, and keeping troops in Afghanistan for two decades—all tied back to the logic of the War on Terror. Even now, when a leader bans AI chips or cracks down on protests in Madagascar, you can trace the roots to this era: when fear became a policy tool, and power moved faster than diplomacy.

And it’s still alive in today’s headlines. The way nations treat refugees, the rise of digital surveillance, the debate over free speech vs. radicalization—all of it carries the weight of this conflict. You won’t find soldiers in the streets of Cape Town, but you’ll see its echo in how news is reported, who gets listened to, and what stories get buried. The War on Terror didn’t end. It just changed shape.

Below, you’ll find stories that connect to this legacy—whether it’s a tech ban that echoes Cold War tactics, a protest movement facing state crackdowns, or a football club speaking out on Gaza. These aren’t random events. They’re pieces of the same puzzle.