Arguably, the demise of empire is what led to 911. When the Europeans and the Brits maintained control over backward places, order was maintained. Same with American protectorates. With local control has come mob rule, chaos, and the rise of terrorism. Look at Canada ;-). "Leading the free world" is a fine-sounding platitude, but it hasn't worked in practice. Condi has no historical precedent for asserting that we're going to make it happen in the Middle east or anywhere else, purple fingers notwithstanding.
Are you announcing the demise of the "American Empire" as signaled by 911?