A War on Terror

The natural response to violence is more violence. This was best exemplified on 9/11. We were bombed and Bush bombed back. Escalations in violence resulted in further escalation on our part. So it continues. But is this our best and only recourse?

As detailed in Oren’s book, “Power Faith & Fantasy”, America has been in conflict with the Middle East for over 233 years, with essentially no real change in policy or approach. This has not resulted in one stable government or long term peace in the region. The West’ policies have in fact greatly exacerbated the problems as has our unquestioned support of Israel and blind eye to its crimes. The West’ policies are in fact a large part of the current problem.

This is lack of insight into the Middle East has become more detrimental in the last 90 odd years with the rise in Islamist fundamentalism, onto today’s Jihadist. Instead of addressing the fundamental causes of the problem; poverty, education, the lack of equality, and meddling in the affairs of other countries, the West has continued with the same failed policies of supporting corrupt dictators, war, and religious incursion.

We simply cannot continue with failed policies and expect a different result.

There is one glimmer of hope today in the fact that President Obama has chosen to pause and consider his options, before sending more troops to Afghanistan, and is looking for a new approach. No doubt he will be derided by Hawks who fail to see the mistakes of the past and offer no other options for the future. But it is only through open dialogue and fair treatment of the Middle East and its people, can we ever hope to achieve peace.

The Jihadist continues to taunt the West into further military action. Their goal is global war to end all wars; a “Cosmic War” of Good vs. Evil as Reza Aslan has described it. And as Aslan has suggested, the only way to avoid a cosmic war, is not to engage in it. The only logical path before us is to step back from the abyss and find another path.