The Global Response: Regions of the World

Although the terrorists attack of September 11, 2001 was conceived and executed as an attack on the U.S, in reality, it was an attack against humanity.  Citizens from more than 90 countries around the world -- from Australia to Zimbabwe -- were killed in the attack.  But if the terrorists sought to divide the world and set nation against nation, their efforts failed miserably.  With the exception of Iraq, every state, including North Korea, expressed its condolences, and messages of support and condemnation of the attacks came from citizens as well as heads of state, foreign ministries, and legislatures around the world.  Numerous multilateral organizations have issued declarations of support, including the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of American States, and the Organization of African Unity. 

Providing more than sympathy and offers of assistance in search and recovery operations, countries around the world have committed themselves to the war on terrorism and have taken concrete steps in that war.  As President Bush said in his address to the UN General Assembly on November 10, 2001, "The civilized world is now responding. ... The conspiracies of terror are being answered by an expanding global coalition."