In his second lecture Owen Harries details how the United States has evolved since the fall of the Soviet Union. In the first decade it failed to define and activate a grand purpose of mission in line with its status as the sole superpower. September 11 2001 changed that, giving the country the clear purpose that had been lacking, with influence shifting to those who believed that the country's destiny was to reshape the world. 9/11 was not a disaster merely to be avenged, but an opportunity to reawaken and, some say, direct America back to its true historical mission.