Today marks 20 years since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. We look back at what is important to remember, to help us move forward towards a demilitarized future. 

​​The 20th anniversary of 9/11 and of the launching of the so-called “Global War on Terror” has been an important moment of reflection for our movements. There have been many powerful webinars foregrounding Muslim and Arab voices, numerous articles drawing lessons from the last 20 years, even a film series throughout the month of October to mark the anniversary. 

Over the last month, beginning on 9/11, we’ve contributed to this effort with “20 Years of the “War on Terror” – 20 Days of Education,” a social media campaign offering resources about different aspects of the War on Terror and stories of global resistance to it. We honor that resistance, as well as the lives stolen by these wars. 

We hope this period of sober reflection will challenge the cultural amnesia imposed on those of us living in the center of empire, and engage more people in reckoning with the recent history of U.S. imperialism. We invite you to use these resources for further study, to learn more about the POC-led organizations leading the fight against Islamophobia, militarism, and war. And most importantly, we invite you to consider ways anti-imperialism can be part of your day-to-day organizing.

As we wrap up this month of political education and reflection, we are reminded that our survival depends on whether we can build true transnational solidarity. That is the antidote to the Global War on Terror. That is where our future lies.