But now, it makes it impossible for us to examine our mistakes, or even understand why anyone would join a terrorist group. It alienates crucual allies. If we don't understand our opponents, if we just demonize them, we'll never defeat them. Flag-waving, no matter how energetically done, isn't enough.
Point-by-point rebuttal:
1.- I daresay that we are examining our mistakes in a very thorough manner. In my view, the first mistake consisted of allowing OBL to set up a network of terrorism which has unfortuntely grown substantially. We have done and are doing everything within our power to correct this mistake. The second mistake was to allow Saddam to gather an arsenal of WMDs which will threaten our economies and those of our allies in a subtantial manner. We are in the process of correcting this mistake.
2.- I think I understand why someone joins a terrorist group: A combination of the failure of hope, extreme poverty, aggressive religious zeal, and domestic repression. A potent mix, which we can fight only with our democratic example and with an armed response in the event the terrorism threatens our self-preservation or our critical interests. Got any better ideas?
We run into the paradox of freedom and democracy when we present our democratic systems as an alternative. The zealots/terrorists detest democracy because of the cultural freedoms which flow from it, including the liberation of women (an anathema to them) and the freedom to "do your own thing"--pardon the expression, the term is a sufficiently descriptive shorthand for the internet as I don't have the time to give you a more nuanced articulation. In a word, the more we set up freedom and democracy as examples, the more the truly zealous are offended. My response to the paradox in internet short hand: tough shit. Read Bernard Lewis if you want the full nuanced picture.
This paradox may lead to a full-blown cultural war--we may be in one now.
3.- Our crucial allies are following self-interested short term economic and political strategies of their own. They understand the threat as they have it in their back yard. At the end of the day, our interests and those of these crucial allies converge. Don't worry (be happy) about this point. There will be ruffled feathers but no serious damage.
4.- Flag waving not enough. Yes, agree, and so..... |
