What Colin Powell Did on 9/11
This article recounts Colin Powell's experience in Peru on September 11, 2001, as he navigated the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks while attending a democracy summit. It reflects on his commitment to international diplomacy and the promotion of democratic values during a pivotal moment in U.S. history.
Why it matters
It provides a historical perspective on how U.S. foreign policy priorities shifted following the 9/11 attacks, contrasting the era's focus on democracy with modern geopolitical realities.
His insistence during an overseas trip on championing democracy in foreign policy is now a relic.
Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic. Sources: Joe Sohm / Visions of America / Getty; Jim Watson / AFP / Getty. September 10, 2026, 3:15 PM ET Share Save S ecretary of State Colin Powell was having breakfast with Peru’s president in Lima’s historic center on September 11, 2001, when an aide passed him a note to inform him that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. Minutes later, he received a second note. “Oh my God,” Powell said aloud.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in