I was driving when reports of an aircraft striking the World Trade Centre broke. Before I arrived home a few hours later every news channel was reporting that the attacks were planned in Afghanistan by a Saudi national, not a Pakistani in Yemen. Very relieved, I accepted this narrative willingly.
I 'd tried to warn this attack was coming - I told New Yorkers who'd probably gone on to watch the horrific scenes before their very eyes. I could not have been more specific with my warnings, or more concerned. If there'd been any significiance in my predictions I 'd expected these New Yorkers to have reported me to the FBI or CIA; in fact I hoped they would so I could tell my story discretely and report the very vague suspicions I had at that time.
But no one called, there was no contact. The whirlwind of news didn't mention Yemen. The attackers were Saudi, Osama bin Laden was Saudi, and it was all planned in Afghanistan - somewhere I'd never been. I dismissed my suspicions as farcical or fanciful, and joined the rest of the unquestioning world watching the War on Terror unfold. I even took part myself - serving in Afghanistan with the British army in 2012.