The Kristof pieces seem to be more or less on target, to the extent that one can tell from an abstract. The Abu Sayyaf is not really a terrorist group, rather a bandit gang that has received assistance from terrorist groups. They get support from the civilian populace not because the population agrees with their nominam political agenda, but because they are Tausugs in a predominantly Tausug area. It is worth mentioning that according to Tausug tradition, banditry and piracy are not only acceptable occupations (as long as they are not aimed at other Tausugs), they are the only acceptable occupations for a Tausug male.
I would say that the main objective in the exercise is to take on a small enemy in a small area in a small, controlled area, liberate the 2 American hostages, and declare "victory" on another front. In short, it is mainly a political enterprise. Uprooting the terrorist infrastructure in SE Asia is not a part of the plan: the MILF (Moro International Liberation Front), which has 12,000 men (as opposed to under 100 for the Abu Sayyaf) and much closer links to the radical Muslim world is being carefully avoided by the operation.
I wouldn't say the operation is doing great harm: the Abu Sayyaf have been around for way too long. They are a very nasty bunch and I don't think anybody not a Tausug would be sorry to see them removed. Certainly most Filipinos approve of the whole thing: the only real protests are coming from the knee-jerk left. Of course most Christian Filipinos regard Muslim Filipinos as something less than human, which is a major reason why the Muslim Filipinos are constantly rebelling, but that's another story and a very long one.
marginalizing Saddam while not neutralizing his nuclear and BCW facilities
Has it been confirmed that these capabilities actually exist?
Hope you're well.... |
