Twentieth Century Precedents for 9/11/01

Some of the most consequential power grabs and most deadly military campaigns of the twentieth century have been predicated on fraudulent events. These events are of several types:

• False flag attack: a covertly-executed attack is blamed on a targeted group who is not responsible
• Fabricated attack: a non-existent attack or accident is blamed on a targeted group
• Facilitated attack: an attack by a real adversary is allowed to happen

Examples of false flag terrorist attacks and operations include:

• The Reichstag Fire
• Operation Himler
• The Manchurian Incident
• Operation Gladio
• Operation Ajax
• The Attack on the USS Liberty

Examples of fabricated attacks include:

• Gulf of Tonkin Incident
• The Kuwaiti Incubator Story

Examples of apparently facilitated attacks include:

• The Pearl Harbor Attack

In addition to actual attacks, some contemplated false-flag attacks have become public. Although the US government has never admitted to carrying out false-flag attacks, military planners have developed plans for such operations.

• Operation Northwoods

While none of these incidents shares all of the most important features with the 9/11/01 attack, each has several important parallels.