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More than 50 students, faculty, staff and administrators joined seven SFSU historians in a crowded conference room to examine the question "September 11th -- One Year Later" during a special forum Wednesday as part of the University's events to mark the anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

"As historians, we not only wanted to commemorate this date, but we also wanted to reflect on what has happened through a discussion that brings people together," said Jules Tygiel, professor of history. Tygiel, who organized the forum for the history department, said the discussion served as a follow-up to a similar forum held last year shortly after the attacks. During Wednesday's forum discussion ranged from issues of U.S. foreign policy to aspects of the Islamic world.

Jerry Combs, professor of history and an expert on U.S. foreign policy, said the answer to the question of how the world has changed since Sept. 11 may come down to how the U.S. handles Iraq. "President Bush suggests that we take a hard line. But there are others who say we should continue a policy of restraint."

The issue of resentment of the U.S. by Arab countries needs to be explored, added Maziar Behrooz, an assistant professor of history and an authority on Islamic history. "The resentment comes from factors such as sanctions against Iraq, U.S. support for unpopular regimes, U.S. presence in the Middle East and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," he said.

Chris Jackson, assistant professor of history and an expert on modern European history, remarked that the atmosphere in the U.S. surrounding Sept. 11 seems to border on the kitsch at times. "There are even cutting boards dedicated to the firefighters. I think the American people need a clear message on why we should be in Iraq," he said.

"Over the past year many countries that formed a world league against terrorism with the United States now appear to be pulling away," said Anthony D'Agostino, professor of history. "The U.S. may find itself isolated in the war on terrorism and it can't do the job alone," he added.

As President Bush's pushes his agenda against Iraq the threat of an "imperial presidency" looms, said Bill Issel, a professor of history and expert on U.S. history. To protect against that, Issel said, voters need to let their elected officials in Washington know how they feel.

And Fred Astren, associate professor of Jewish Studies, added that any U.S. attack on Iraq would surely have ramifications in the Middle East and in particular, Israel and Palestine. "There will be issues of social justice if the U.S. goes into Iraq without a clear agenda."