9/11’s Unfinished Business: Why Saudi Accountability Still Matters

Terry Strada, a widow who lost her husband on September 11, stood at the Manhattan ceremony last week. Her words pierced through the somber atmosphere as she delivered an impassioned plea to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its alleged role in the terrorist strikes.

Families gathered to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks, and Strada’s call to action has been echoing through Washington corridors. A coalition of victims’ families is suing the Saudi government, accusing it of complicity. The allegations against Saudi Arabia are not new but have gained renewed attention as the case makes its way through the courts.

The Saudi government has consistently denied any involvement, but proponents of the lawsuit point to evidence suggesting a complex relationship between Riyadh and the 9/11 plotters. Strada’s plea is not just about seeking justice for her husband and others who lost their lives; it is also about upholding accountability and transparency.

The Trump administration’s response has been opaque at best. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly claimed that President Trump was committed to identifying records responsive to the families’ request, but the lack of concrete action speaks louder than words. The administration’s reluctance to hold Saudi Arabia accountable is part of a long pattern of prioritizing diplomatic relations with Riyadh over the rights and interests of 9/11 families.

This inaction sends a message that, for all its rhetoric about standing up to terrorism, the US government will turn a blind eye to alleged complicity when it suits foreign policy goals. This hypocrisy undermines global efforts to combat terrorism as countries question whether Washington’s commitment to justice and accountability is genuine.

Terry Strada’s call to action should be heeded by the Biden administration, which has inherited this unfinished business from its predecessor. As Vice President Kamala Harris noted during her presidential campaign, holding Saudi Arabia accountable for 9/11 would be a crucial step towards restoring trust in US foreign policy.

The lawsuit against Saudi Arabia has already led to revelations about the nature of US-Saudi relations in the lead-up to 9/11. As more evidence comes to light, policymakers and journalists will need to scrutinize the complex web of interests and alliances that allowed this tragedy to unfold. This scrutiny is essential for understanding what this means for the future of US foreign policy.

The Biden administration must now take concrete action rather than simply paying lip service to the families’ concerns. Until Saudi Arabia is held accountable, questions about its role in 9/11 will continue to plague Washington’s relations with Riyadh. It is time for the US government to confront this unfinished business head-on and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Anything less would be a disservice to the families of 9/11, as well as to the principles of justice and accountability that underpin any legitimate democracy.