| First, the only place where it is relevant to use such language, although not altogether accurate, is the Middle East. The IRA does not target the United States, nor do the Basques or the Kurds, or any other guerilla or terrorist force I can think of outside of the Muslim world. The only conflict we are involved in that has been used as a rationale for terrorism directed at us is the Israeli- Arab conflict. So you are either over- generalizing or being coy. Second, if we pull out of the situation now, we are responsible for the consequent slaughter. Either Israel will deal with the Palestinians once and for all, or the Arabs will finally have their way, with a new Holocaust. We cannot morally extricate ourselves from promises relied upon for the very survival of a nation. Third, it is by no means clear that abandoning Israel would clear us with the radical Muslim groups, since it has become a part of their theology that America is the Great Satan. Fourth, I do not believe that the entire Muslim world stands against us, nor do I think that most of them would get up the gumption to strap on a bomb, sally forth, and blow themselves and others to Kingdom Come. We have it in our power to substantially reduce the threat......... |
