September 14, 2006

The War on Terror

An unconventional war requiring a unconventional strategy

 Five years have passed since the day time stood still at the stroke of 8:46am on September 11, 2001. The United States was attacked not by a country but by an ideology, Islamic fascism. This type of enemy would require a new strategy and would help redefine the meaning of war. This is the war on terror.

After the attacks, our country was in shock and disbelief. Thousands were dead without any justification. The wonton attack was an act of unmitigated evil delivered on their promise of death and destruction against “the great Satan”. For all too long, the United States failed to aggressively go after those who committed terrorism and those who harbored them. From Lebanon, the first WTC bombing, Kobart Towers, Somalia, the embassy bombing in Africa and the Cole, it was clear that the United States was willing to accept a certain threshold of death. The 911 attacks became the ultimate breaking point.

As it quickly became apparent that the Taliban in Afghanistan harbored those responsible for the 911 attacks, the United States went in and defeated the Taliban. This put Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda on the run. The link between the Taliban and 911 were clear, however this is not a typical war with clearly defined combatants or regular militias. The Afghanistan front is one of many, a war without borders requiring an unconventional strategy with unconventional means. We must adapt if we are to survive.     

The regime of Saddam Hussein had a long history of exporting terrorism and attacking other countries notably Iran and Kuwait. Due to Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait in 1991, George Bush Sr. put together a coalition and drove Saddam out of Kuwait. Based on diplomatic concerns, i.e. keeping the coalition intact and preserving Iraq as a state, the United States declined to enter Bagdad allowing Saddam to stay in power. This diplomatic compromise proved to be a mistake.

There was no dispute among both sides of the aisle regarding Saddam’s possession of biological and chemical weapons. These weapons were utilized with devastating effectiveness against the Kurds in the north and the Iranians. Many believed that Saddam was pursuing nuclear weapons. For more than ten years and seventeen UN resolutions, the United States attempted to disarm Saddam. By 2003, it became clear that he was unwilling to comply with any of the resolutions and barred UN weapons inspectors from returning to Iraq.  

In light of the 911 attacks, it was only reasonable that our government would move to protect the American people from a clear and present danger. Based on Saddam’s failure to disarm, the United States acted to enforce UN resolution 1441 which directed Iraq to disarm or face “serious consequences”. The invasion of Iraq ultimately led to a democratically elected government.

While the Iraq campaign has lasted for more than three years, some members of Congress have demanded the withdrawal of forces and have constantly criticized every detail of the Iraq campaign. While mistakes were made, there is no such thing as a perfect war. Many of these same members voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq. The only plan for victory is defeat of Islamic fascism and a stable Iraqi democracy. This option will take time.  

Look to the lessons of history, Germany and Japan. Both countries were driven by evil ideologies. Many believed that neither culture would accept democracy. Both now dominate the world economy and the world stage. A stable Iraq, the cradle of civilization can succeed as well. Liberty and freedom are a compelling counterweight to the ideology of terrorists.

These are the same failed politicians who want to give enemy combatants Geneva Convention protections and try them in US courts. Why would a sane person want to treat an enemy willing to kill Americans as a citizen with the same rights? Some have compared the treatment of prisoners at Abu Grab to that of a Soviet Gulag. One prominent Senator claimed that American troops were “terrorizing” Iraqi women and children while on patrol. Their comments speak volumes about their vision for America and the culture of failure.

It is important to understand the war on terror. It is a global war that is unconventional in nature. The historical benchmark is not Vietnam but Pearl Harbor and World War II. It will take a focused and united nation to prevail. It will require confrontation with other nations that sponsor and harbor terrorists. It will require a spine not appeasement. It will require leadership not equivocation. Anything less will result in our defeat. Our liberty requires nothing but victory.

“The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.”   Samuel Adams