A Revised Approach to the War on Terror

Related Issues: Foreign Policy , Iraq Conflict , Afganistan Conflict

Tags: education , islam , terrorism

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Tuesday, 04/22/2008 @ 05:35 PM PST

To whom it may concern:

I am very discouraged by the government's short-sighted handling of the "war on terror". It is clear to me that the US foreign policy since 9/11 has multiplied the conditions that create the terrorist mentality: violence, poverty, and instability. There are several key mistakes that have been made, but there are also ways to repair the damage done if you are willing to take the steps.

1. The neglect of Afghanistan. Our government rightly went after Osama Bin Ladin and toppled the oppressive Taliban. Yet, there was much destruction and collateral damage left in the wake. Many cities were destroyed, and many people displaced. US promises of aid were not acted upon. The common Afghani citizen, who could have been endeared to the US for his liberation, is instead left grieved and impoverished, and wondering why the US abandoned his country to attack Iraq. Many lost family. Many lost homes. Leaving the country in that state or providing nominal aid is failure to effectively fight terrorism in that land.

2. The war in Iraq. I won't go too far in to this, because it is a horse that has been beaten endlessly of late. Needless to say, we destabilized a nation that now has more terrorist activity than ever before. We gave the entire region another reason to hate us.

3. Ignoring the role of Saudi Arabia. All the experts agree that it is Saudi money that supports the madrassas that spread Wahhabi Islam that so often results in terrorism. These madrassas are raised in poor areas throughout the Muslim world; areas with limited access to real education. For lack of options, children learn to read and write in these subpar schools that emphasize the principles of jihad and anti-Western sentiment. Our government continues to be in bed with the Saudis and to ignore this essential foundation of terrorism.

I am calling for our government to denounce its unilateral foreign policy. It is time to enlist the help of the United Nations to end the war in Iraq and to increase the aid and rebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We should wage war against the ignorance that breeds terror by taking action against Saudi financial pipelines that fund madrassas and by helping to improve the education system throughout the Middle East.

I strongly recommend that all Federal officials read Three Cups of Tea to get a better understanding of the potential of education in the war on terror.

Hopeful,

JM4Change

Total Comments: 38

Write your own comment on this letter!

	LouisZ03, on 04/27/2008 @ 09:31 AM PST wrote:
		When we talk about the War on Terror, I think you got it right when you said that we lost focus on Afganistan. We need to refocus our efforts there and get out of Iraq. Its time to end the aide there and put it where it really is needed, let Iraq stand on its own.

	bird, on 04/29/2008 @ 02:40 PM PST wrote:
		first off, three cups of tea is fantastic. and i fully agree with you on almost all points, especially that we need to allow iraq the chance to function on its own; we've clearly done enough there.

	Winston, on 05/02/2008 @ 08:10 PM PST wrote:
		Why doesn't the media ever mention Afganistan anymore? I know we still have military there. What's going on?

	optimate, on 05/06/2008 @ 08:44 PM PST wrote:
		The media doesn't report on positive things; it reports on 'splosions and destruction (especially when it makes a Republican administration look bad). Afghanistan has gone relatively well, so it gets ignored. Iraq was a mess for years, and it was daily news. Now that the surge appears to be working, there are about 1/3 the stories of Iraq.

	JDog, on 05/07/2008 @ 05:15 PM PST wrote:
		Optiamte is right. The media only reports on items that benefit their own agendas.

	JM4Change, on 05/08/2008 @ 02:15 PM PST wrote:
		I agree that most media have agendas. Hopefully, for some, that agenda happens to be reporting true and important facts. However, for most, it is all about selling stories, and pandering to their audience - telling them what they want to hear. Republicans listen to Fox News, Democrats to CNN, and both think the others are deceitful. IMO, people need to spend a little less time watching TV or reading partisan magazines or websites, and a more time in more scholarly sources, researching all sides, and formulating their own opinions.

	cazandria, on 05/13/2008 @ 01:48 PM PST wrote:
		Three Cups of Teas is wonderful, first of all. Second, I agree with this letter very much. It's a point that I've been advocating for years. Obviously the mess we've made of this 'war' can be combatted rather than ignored.

	ummhafsa, on 05/24/2008 @ 06:11 PM PST wrote:
		I don't think there was a terrorist problem to begin with. I think that the only way to combat terror is to have mutual respect for people whose cultures and ideologies are different then what we think we know instead of becoming our own brand of terrorists in reverse.

	Harley20, on 05/31/2008 @ 05:46 PM PST wrote:
		Good points but my thoughts are that if the media would stop giving the American people all the guts and terror and report the good along with the bad, the public would have a better idea of our mission and how well it is going in most areas.

	JDog, on 06/02/2008 @ 03:51 PM PST wrote:
		Sorry JM, but in Iraq, the terrorist activity has been on the decline since the "surge" has been implemented. And get help from the UN? Please! That is one of the most corrupt organizations on the planet.

	JM4Change, on 06/02/2008 @ 09:11 PM PST wrote:
		JDog, I actually agree with your comment yet still believe my letter stands true. Yes, the surge has worked, and was a good idea. That doesn't change the fact that there is more terrorist activity in Iraq than there was pre-Saddam (by far!). Face it, we fueled the terrorist fire by both the invasion of Iraq and the cavalier handling of the war. With respect to the UN, I don't dispute that there is corruption, but they are still more legitimate as a collaborative solution in the world's eyes than our own unilateral approach. By inviting the UN, we would be taking a step toward increasing international goodwill - a concept that this administration seems to care nothing about.

	SAdams, on 06/09/2008 @ 12:45 PM PST wrote:
		I think we should really stop meddling in other peoples affairs, I disagree with Saddam Hussein and his human rights abuses but we toppled his regime 5 years ago and we are still losing people there, and for what? It is time that we left the countries we invaded and let the new governments take charge.

	pbrown69, on 06/09/2008 @ 09:01 PM PST wrote:
		You bring up a number of good points, but you have to remember; For this generation of terrorists, at least, they are engaged in a religious struggle against our Western civilization or way of life. Yes, education will help for future generations, but for Osama Bin Laden and his cronies, it's too late. They need to be stopped.

	leto17, on 06/15/2008 @ 08:18 AM PST wrote:
		In general I accept all of your points except one. You are correct. I was opposed to going to war in Iraq, but now that we are, I believe that economic and geopolitical considerations dictate that we stay in the bed that has been made for us by an incompetant government. The UN is not going to fix this after Miello died.

	Jeskel83, on 06/17/2008 @ 07:57 AM PST wrote:
		my insights and things I have heard in debate are very similar to whats stated here in this letter. We entered into a country that has some bad eggs like everyone else, who beleive to death there religion was more supieror. All this fighting stems from the US ignorance to talk and understand others points of view and religious beliefs. We are killing innocent people and using the policy kill now ask later.

	kvandyke8062, on 06/17/2008 @ 11:09 AM PST wrote:
		Very well written and I whole-heartedly agree with you. I believe that we lost focus on nearly everything less than a year after being there. I hate war. I cannot find any justification in which it has become my job to play God with people. A conservative republican bible-thumper should know that.

	fieari, on 06/17/2008 @ 12:32 PM PST wrote:
		Losing focus in Afghanistan was our first and biggest mistake. Although, I could support a unilateral foreign policy, if our leaders were making good decisions. I don't put more trust in the UN than I put in our own government. However, right now, my trust in our government is pretty low.

	wende_domm, on 06/17/2008 @ 08:30 PM PST wrote:
		I never felt that the decision to invade Iraq was our best option. We went into Afghanistan, and then once Iraq happened, Afghanistan went on the back burner. I think the focus needs to be shifted, so that we can get Bin Laden and start helping to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq. You make a great point about the Saudis too.

	JaredBrownLU, on 06/17/2008 @ 09:44 PM PST wrote:
		Bush screwed 9/11 up so bad that its a mess that can't be fixed in the next 10 years. lets hope Obama doesn't catch too much grief for not being able to fix it completely in his first 4 years.

	happyheratic, on 06/18/2008 @ 12:29 PM PST wrote:
		American has squandered any "moral" high ground we might have. It is both sad and ironic that by virtue of Iraq war we "imported" Al Queda to Iraq.

	TommiG1506, on 06/18/2008 @ 11:08 PM PST wrote:
		The neglect of Afghanistan? What about the neglect of New Orleans? Our government neglects a lot of things to serve its own agenda

	annacc100, on 06/19/2008 @ 12:10 PM PST wrote:
		I agree that there are problems with our handling of terrorism, but these people are not reasonable. There has been hater for many years towards us - and it has not been from recent events. These are a very hateful people and force at this point is the only alternative.

	Rgonzalez, on 06/19/2008 @ 12:17 PM PST wrote:
		We need to stop being so pushy and telling other countries what to do and worry more about fixing our own internal problems.

	Armadillo922, on 06/19/2008 @ 01:33 PM PST wrote:
		I liked your ideas so much that I am going to order the book you mention at the end!

	cstolarzyk, on 06/20/2008 @ 04:25 PM PST wrote:
		Take some time and find out about the Carlyle Group. Our government officials are also buisnessman and do business with the saudis so that will never happen. Not to mention the saudis have invested about 10 trillion dollars into the us economy.

	theladyfatimah, on 06/20/2008 @ 07:22 PM PST wrote:
		I actually agree with your comment yet still believe my letter stands true. Yes, the surge has worked, and was a good idea. That doesn't change the fact that there is more terrorist activity in Iraq than there was pre-Saddam (by far!). Face it, we fueled the terrorist fire by both the invasion of Iraq and the cavalier handling of the war. With respect to the UN, I don't dispute that there is corruption

	Tidefan, on 06/20/2008 @ 10:13 PM PST wrote:
		There have been many mistakes in the war on terror. And the surest way to end terrorism is to get people in the Middle East to be as decadent consumerists as the West (and now China.) As economic opportunity increases, freedom increases. With greater freedom and economic stability, we'll see more tolerance in the Middle East.

	Cutesie21, on 06/21/2008 @ 02:09 PM PST wrote:
		I think Bush has his head so far up his butt that he can't open his eyes and see what really needs to be done. Terrorism has grown so much since 9/11. They are working against it, but I think they could be doing a lot better then they are. Like you said they would work with the United Nations.

	soaringhawk71, on 06/21/2008 @ 02:50 PM PST wrote:
		I wholeheartedly agree with you. Afghanistan was supposed to be our primary issue when we divided our focus. It is a shame that the American public swallowed the pill that our government fed them without complaining.

	adegca, on 06/22/2008 @ 12:38 PM PST wrote:
		How about looking inside our government and punishing those responsible? starting with Bush & Cheney.

	CassandraSpeaks, on 06/22/2008 @ 07:49 PM PST wrote:
		I couldn't have said it better. Thanks for the reading rec. Its now on my list!

	majicJ, on 06/27/2008 @ 09:02 AM PST wrote:
		I agree, with a few reservations. First of, although I'm not sure we were justified in invading Iraq, it is true that after the "Sunni Awakening" and the surge violence levels in Iraq have dropped considerably. Furthermore, civilian support for terrorist violence has dropped drastically. With that said, the actions you advocate would only serve to further aid our already somewhat successful efforts.

	sabrahardy, on 06/29/2008 @ 06:43 AM PST wrote:
		brute force against brute force is not a strategy it is a cop - out. so far brute force has stopped nothing. it depletes our human resourses it reduces our intelligent reasoning to the barrel of a gun. it makes us all look un-intelligent and un-enlightened it speaks volumes regarding civilized behavior. It only points to GREED and dishonesty.

	levineju, on 06/29/2008 @ 01:04 PM PST wrote:
		It's a dire situation, no doubt. I cannot foresee an easy withdrawl anytime soon, yet I so desperate want to see those troops out of there

	american_citizen, on 07/04/2008 @ 11:04 AM PST wrote:
		Very excellent points that are unfortunately being ignored by the mainstream media.

	The_Guru, on 07/10/2008 @ 10:22 AM PST wrote:
		We dropped the ball on this issue. We were blindsided by weapons of mass distraction, and now going on 7 years later the guy most responsible for the attacks against this country on 9/11 is still at large. That little fact doesn't seem to bother some people. You can't blame the media for the failure of this administration to capture or kill Osama bin Laden.

	WhatsHerFace, on 11/27/2008 @ 06:36 PM PST wrote:
		It looks like your wish may come true. From what I understand, president elect-Obama plans to pull out of Iraq and put more troops in Afghanistan. Hopefully Iran won't take over Iarq and hopefully we won't be jumping out of the fire into the frying pan.

	glowel, on 02/11/2009 @ 04:37 PM PST wrote:
		'We should wage war against the ignorance that breeds terror' - that's the key. The war is truly against ideals and deep set hatreds. It's hard to fight a war of that nature.