Somalia, and the events surrounding it and the USA during the early 1990s, are often used as a prime example why Americans were often hesitant about getting down and dirty around the world at least until September 11.
How would have history have changed if there was no "Black Hawk Down" situation, where American forces were at least able to evacuate with little to no casualties and the American adventure in Somalia ends with a whimper instead of a bang?
How would that have changed the 1990s, and perhaps the run up to September 11? Would it be too far of a stretch to think that a stronger American interventionist policy across the world perhaps would have disrupted AQ's plans for September 11?