The enduring legacy of 9/11, with former Defense Secretary Mark Esper episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 12, 2026 · 28 MIN

The enduring legacy of 9/11, with former Defense Secretary Mark Esper

from GZERO World with Ian Bremmer · host ian bremmer, mark esper

This week marks 25 years since 9/11—the deadliest terror attack the world has ever seen and a defining moment in American history. The attacks transformed US politics and national security. The war on terror became the organizing principle of American foreign policy. Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper joins Ian Bremmer on the GZERO World Podcast to reflect on the day that forever changed how Americans thought about national security, and how the United States wielded its enormous power around the world. How much did we learn from the post-9/11 era and do we risk repeating the same mistakes? 25 years after the US launched its war on terror, America is once again fighting a war in the Middle East without a clear endgame or exit strategy. The United States is on the back foot in its war with Iran, Esper says. The original goal of getting Tehran to the negotiating table about its nuclear program isn’t even being discussed anymore. And meanwhile, the United States is dropping the ball on countering its biggest existential threat: China. Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Mark Esper Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 12, 2026

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Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper reflects on 25 years since 9/11, the lessons of America’s forever wars, and the biggest threats to US national security today.

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The enduring legacy of 9/11, with former Defense Secretary Mark Esper

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