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Giuliani Reflects on 9/11 Anniversary: We're Safer in Some Ways, Less Safe in Others

September 11, 2016

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani (R.) reflected on the 9/11 anniversary Sunday regarding homeland security by saying that the United States is safer in some ways, but less safe in other ways.

ABC began the segment by showing Giuliani's comments on the network days after the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001.

"We have to end terrorism. I believe the United States government is committed to that. It will require us here in America to go about our way of life and not have them imperil it," Giuliani said.

ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos asked Giuliani whether he thought America was safer today than it was 15 years ago. Giuliani responded by calling it a "mixed bag" and that we are safer in some areas, but vulnerable in others.

"It's almost two wars. We're always fighting the last war and then they figure a new one for us. Terrorists are more cunning than that. We're always fighting the last battle. The attack of the airplane. Yes, is airplane safety much greater today? Absolutely. Is our cargo safety much safer today? Can't tell you that," Giuliani said.

Giuliani also pointed out that it was easier to go after a single organization like al Qaeda 15 years ago versus what the United States is going up against today. He mentioned that the Islamic State, or ISIS, has its "tentacles" in 28 different countries and that al Qaeda never had the capacity to accomplish that.

"I am not going to say they are smarter people," he said. "They are better educated people. They are people who know us better. They come from France, Germany, England and the United States. The al Qaeda people were Afghan warriors. Great warriors, horrible people, but great warriors. They didn't have the ability to use the internet. They didn't have the ability to infiltrate."

"In some ways we're safer and some ways we're in a much more dangerous situation," he added.