23 May 2007
Radical Islam and Iraq
Bob Kerrey’s OpEd in the May 22, 2007, Wall Street Journal probably reflects a recent discussion between him and U.N. Ambassador Khalilzad. Mr. Kerrey has bought the Bush Administration’s justification for continued occupation of Iraq
It is hard to believe that resisters of U.S. occupation would not resort to the tactics of terrorism (like the Irish Republican Army, the Tamil rebels, and others) if our strategy had been to impose a more acceptable dictator. The global threat of terrorism is less a function of its ties to Islam than its empowerment by modern communication technology.
Ms. Shirin Ebadi and Senator Jim Webb both got it right – occupying a country to impose a democracy will not work, and democracy alone will not eliminate terrorism. However, neither will military force. We cannot afford to shirk the diplomatic, political and other tasks of persuasion needed to combat what has become a real danger to civilization.
Bob Kerrey’s OpEd in the May 22, 2007, Wall Street Journal probably reflects a recent discussion between him and U.N. Ambassador Khalilzad. Mr. Kerrey has bought the Bush Administration’s justification for continued occupation of Iraq
It is hard to believe that resisters of U.S. occupation would not resort to the tactics of terrorism (like the Irish Republican Army, the Tamil rebels, and others) if our strategy had been to impose a more acceptable dictator. The global threat of terrorism is less a function of its ties to Islam than its empowerment by modern communication technology.
Ms. Shirin Ebadi and Senator Jim Webb both got it right – occupying a country to impose a democracy will not work, and democracy alone will not eliminate terrorism. However, neither will military force. We cannot afford to shirk the diplomatic, political and other tasks of persuasion needed to combat what has become a real danger to civilization.
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