Meaning: The quote "With those attacks, the terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States. And war is what they got." was spoken by George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This quote reflects the immediate response of the U.S. government to the deadliest terrorist act in world history, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.

The attacks on September 11, 2001, fundamentally changed the course of U.S. foreign and domestic policy. In his address to the nation on the evening of September 11, President Bush declared that the U.S. would make no distinction between the terrorists who committed the acts and those who harbored them. This set the stage for the U.S.-led global war on terror, which saw military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as significant changes to U.S. domestic security measures.

The quote captures the immediate and visceral response of the U.S. government to the attacks, signaling a shift from the relatively peaceful and prosperous 1990s to a new era of conflict and insecurity. It encapsulates the determination of the U.S. to take aggressive action against those responsible for the attacks and their supporters.

The phrase "And war is what they got" reflects the decisiveness and resolve of the U.S. government to respond to the attacks with military force. The Bush administration's response to the attacks was characterized by a "war on terror" rhetoric, emphasizing the need for a sustained and global effort to combat terrorism.

The aftermath of the September 11 attacks saw the United States and its allies engage in prolonged military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and removing regimes perceived as threats to U.S. security. The wars that followed the attacks had far-reaching consequences, including significant loss of life, economic costs, and lasting geopolitical implications.

The quote also reflects the broader shift in U.S. foreign policy towards a more assertive and interventionist stance. The attacks on September 11 led to a reevaluation of U.S. national security priorities and a renewed focus on preemptive action against perceived threats. This shift was encapsulated in the adoption of the Bush Doctrine, which emphasized the use of military force to prevent emerging security threats.

Furthermore, the quote highlights the rhetorical framing of the conflict as a war, signaling the U.S. government's intent to mobilize its military and diplomatic resources to confront and defeat the perpetrators of the attacks. This framing also had legal and policy implications, as the U.S. government sought to justify its actions within the framework of international law and norms governing armed conflict.

In conclusion, the quote by President George W. Bush encapsulates the immediate and forceful response of the U.S. government to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It reflects the determination of the U.S. to wage war against the perpetrators and their supporters, setting the stage for a prolonged and far-reaching global conflict. The quote also signifies a significant shift in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, with lasting implications for international security and U.S. global engagement.