What is the Deal with the War on Terrorism?
By Jan A. Larson
Much has been said and written in the past week about the terrorist
bombings and election in Spain. Critics have accused the Spanish electorate
of voting for the appeasement of the terrorists by tossing out the incumbent
Popular Party in favor of the anti-war Socialist Party.
There is a prevailing attitude in Europe that the fight is between
the terrorists and the United States. The bombings in Spain sent a message
to Spaniards. But what message? Apparently most Spaniards believe the
terrorists will leave their country alone if they no longer support
the United States. The reality is the terrorists have shown all of Europe
that they are targets too.
Many Americans believe that if we only disengaged from the Middle East
and withdrew our support of Israel, the terrorists would leave us alone.
Some don't believe the war on terrorism is a war at all.
As Mary Mostert wrote in an American Daily article [1], the goal of
Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda is the total destruction of America and
the western way of life.
There can be no appeasement of Al Qaeda and Al Qaeda will not negotiate.
We're in a war for our survival and for the survival of our civilization.
There can be no compromise.
The Spanish may have bought some time. It is not inconceivable that
Al Qaeda may not target innocent civilians in Spain in the near future,
part of a plan to encourage others to also withdraw support of "America's"
war. A classic divide and conquer strategy. Make no mistake, Spain remains
on Al
Qaeda's hit list, just as do the other nations of Western Europe.
Should Al Qaeda succeed in moving the front of the war on terrorism
from Afghanistan and Iraq to the United States, we will all find out
how serious this fight really is. As President Bush stated in his remarks
noting the one-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, "We
know that this way of life is worth defending, there's no neutral ground."
"Any sign of weakness or retreat simply validates terrorist violence
and invites more violence on all nations." [2]
Americans have short attention spans. It seems that the many have become
complacent in the months since September 11, 2001 and seem to think
such attacks won't happen again. We cannot afford such complacence.
Al Qaeda is patient. American complacency plays into their strategy.
Allowed to regroup or remain unchallenged, Al Qaeda will routinely plan
and carry out attacks on the scale of the
Spanish train bombing or, if given access to weapons of greater destructive
force, will not hesitate to use them here or in Europe, Spanish appeasement
notwithstanding.
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have weakened Al Qaeda and put them
on the defensive, but as was seen in Madrid, they still possess the
capability of wreaking destruction on a large scale.
A retreat from the war on terrorism, apparently the course chosen by
the Spanish, is a losing strategy, not a strategy that Americans can
afford to pursue.
Our President is 100% committed to winning this war. His opponent in
the upcoming election does not appear to share that commitment.
The Spanish people have chosen their course. Which course will Americans
choose this November?
[1] http://www.americandaily.com/item/5190
[2] http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,114629,00.html
Jan A. Larson publishes a weekly commentary, "What
is the Deal?" at the Pie of Knowledge (http://www.pieofknowledge.com).
His work also appears from time to time on NewsBull (http://www.newsbull.com),
OpinionEditorials (http://www.opinioneditorials.com),
the Washington Dispatch http://www.washingtondispatch.com) and American
Daily (http://www.americandaily.com).
