An Autumn of War

Classicist and military historian Victor Davis Hanson says the attacks of September 11th stripped away America's hypocritical veneer of the past, and forced Americans to take a long look at the world, the way it really is... not the way Americans wish it were.

The grim reality, according to Hanson, is that terrorists against America are more likely to come from the US's supposed friends, like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, than from its enemies like Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. And, when push comes to shove, Hanson says, Europe can't be counted on to stand by Uncle Sam. So America must be ready to go it alone, if necessary.

This hour, On Point: Victor Davis Hanson on America's lessons from 9/11.

Is America's war on terrorism still justified, today? Does the United States truly stand alone, in the international community? Is that acceptable?

Guests:

Victor Davis Hanson, Professor of Classics at California State University, Fresno, currently a visiting professor of military history at the US Naval Academy, author of several books including "The Western Way of War," "The Soul of Battle," "Carnage and Culture," and his latest book "An Autumn of War: What America Learned from September 11 and the War on Terrorism"