International Political Will

The 9/11 attacks were truly a horrendous act of violence, and certainly deserving of a massive response. Two simultaneous wars – and soon a third in Iran – certainly qualify, but did America just run away from 9/11 in a blind act of revenge?

Intelligent discussion about the attacks has yet to occur – the prevailing notion that terrorists “hate us for our freedom” has been widely accepted as fact. The idea that military action in efforts to kill the enemy has been unchallenged in even the most “liberal media” circles. Politicians debate how to kill, not whether to.

Many feel that 9/11 was thrust upon America – and therefore America must respond. But to assume that a military response is the only answer ignores the underlying roots of terrorism – and in fact simply creates more terrorists.

First, Americans must separate the debate over why terrorism exists from the debate over tactics that terrorists use. The two are not inseparable. A comprehensive discussion over the reasons why some people are so desperate as to strap on explosives and murder is possible. At the same time, tactics used can still be condemned.

The inequality of the world is nothing new – but technology allowing the “have-nots” to see those who live in relative luxury is a recent phenomenon. The days of colonial power structures and control over information are gone – empires can no longer hide behind self-proclaimed notions of altruistic intent or a “white-man’s burden.” Today, oppressed societies are painfully aware of the gap between the rich and the poor.

Even deeper questions about why such a gap exists must be answered. Promises made by the U.S. to donate a larger portion of its wealth to eradicate poverty in the developing world have gone unfulfilled – instead donations have fallen to proportionally far less than any other country. Eliminating extreme poverty would provide an alternative to many disenfranchised populations of young men and women that feel political suicide may be the only answer.

Yet many so-called terrorists come from affluent families. Their aspirations to shape society based on their own values is thwarted by outside influences intent on protecting supplies of oil or other resources.

Democratically elected leaders are disposed of when their interest clash with the Western world. Iran’s elected leader was removed by the U.S. in 1953 after he threatened to nationalize his country’s oil companies. A brutal dictator was installed and supported by the U.S. until Iranians rose up in revolution.

Saddam Hussein not only was supported during the 1980s by the U.S. as he murdered tens of thousands of Iranians – as well as Iraqis – but he was sold weapons of mass destruction. A new puppet regime is being installed in Iraq that will serve U.S. interests in the near future, keeping cheap oil supplies open. The cost of this invasion was paid by millions of innocent Iraqi citizens.

Hamas, a political movement that has provided many social services despite the illegal Israeli occupation, was chosen by Palestinians this year. In the eyes of the U.S., the Islamic dimension of Hamas negates any aspiration of democracy, and the U.S. instead has moved to reinstall the corrupt leadership of Fatah.

And of course there is the unconditional support for Israel itself, despite a 40-year illegal occupation of Palestinian land, repeated war crimes, violations of the Geneva Convention and so many other crimes that I cannot list here.

A concerted effort by the U.S. to formulate foreign policy in the mold of universal justice may mean a higher price for oil – but would truly change the world.

Military funds could easily be diverted to research and development of a safe, clean alternative fuel source. Rather than expensive invasions, this money could fight poverty and help the poorest of the world to realize a life without misery, hunger, disease and death. A world of equality would lend few causes for terrorism to spread.

Outside of this debate, however, is the argument over tactics. There may be disagreement with how some people go about trying to change the world – but it isn’t axiomatic that their reasons should be dismissed as well.

Until Americans separate this debate – and engage willingly, thoughtfully and logically – terrorism will continue. American soldiers will die fighting in foreign lands, trillions of dollars will be spent on weapons of mass destruction, millions of innocent people will die and the U.S. will always be looking for an “Osama bin Laden.”

The so-called “War on Terror” has more than one front. Ignoring alternative measures to address the roots of terror is a self-perpetuating tactic, one based in revenge, imperialism, arrogance and hate.

terrorism war on terror Iraq Iran September 11 poverty

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