A Smarter Strategy Against Terrorism

We need to wage a smarter campaign against terrorism. One that doesn’t play into the hands of the Moslem extremists by driving Moslem moderates toward the extreme. The Bush/Neocon policy of radicalizing the moderate Moslems and swelling the support of the extremists is simply stupid.

Here are the main elements of a smarter strategy designed to rescue the U.S. from the disastrous foreign policy of the last few years and bring stability and a real chance for lasting peace:

1. Respect U.S. and International laws. Our strength is that we live by a set of values that we place over expediency and because of this we are (were?) admired by most in the world, even those that disagree with us. By throwing out respect for our own Bill of Rights and international treaties like the Geneva Conventions, the neocons running our government have severely damaged our most powerful weapon in a battle of ideas; our moral authority.
2. Stop hurling threats at those we disagree with. When we threaten countries the natural reaction is for the people (even those who disagree with their government) to rally around their leaders. Look no further that Iran: 70% of the population is under 30 and they desperately want blue jeans and McDonalds. If we hadn’t been threatening them non-stop for the last six years, they would probably by now have a more moderate government.  If force is on the table, it should be spoken of only privately not blustered out in chest thumping speeches as Bush does. This is an old idea called “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
3. You cannot “speak softly” if you refuse to talk. We should talk with Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas. Yes their starting position may be the irrational non-existence of Israel but that does not mean that is their ending position.
4. Understand that all Moslems are not the same. Fact: There are 1.3 Billion Moslems on Earth. Are there 10,000 Jihadists? 20,000? 20,000 equals only 0.0001538%. The present Bush policy of driving moderate Moslems to the extreme is absolutely counterproductive. We should instead be isolating the extremists and formulate a campaign for winning the hearts and minds of moderate Moslems.
5. Understand that except for rare instances (see exception below) we cannot stop terrorist groups with bombs and bullets. These groups are more “ideas” than people and infrastructure. We cannot destroy “ideas” with tanks and airplanes, we can only destroy buildings and people with our bombs and the ensuing collateral damage only serves to drive moderates to accept the “ideas” of these organizations. Thus we kill a few terrorists but their “ideas” grow in popularity and get stronger. Witness what has happened between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah is as much a political party as a terrorist organization. By bombing Lebanon back to the Stone Age and making a million Lebanese homeless, Israel has only made Hezbollah stronger. No doubt, in the next election, Hezbollah will gain seats in the Lebanese government.
6. Finish the job and go get Bin Laden. Most moderate Moslems understand that al Qaida attacked us and will not begrudge us rightful retaliation against those that attacked our country. It is the unjustified invasion of a country like Iraq, which had nothing to do with 9/11, that has so damaged the U.S. position in that part of the world. Do the job with “boots on the ground” to minimize civilian causualies.
7. Go back to being a some what honest broker in the region. Encourage Israel to recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian refugees. What do you think they are refugees from? Israel could start accepting the Palestinian refugees into Israeli society. They could give them a path to full Israeli citizenship, help them adjust with training and jobs, pay reparations where appropriate and guarantee their children a college education if qualified. Moslems, just like Jews, Christians and everyone else on the planet (with the exception of a very few people so filled with hate that they have lost their connection to humanity) just want a fair shot at life and a chance for a better life for their children.
8. Get out of Iraq ASAP.
9. Never, ever elect a Bush supporting neocon again.