TIGed

Switch headers Switch to TIGweb.org

Are you an TIG Member?
Click here to switch to TIGweb.org

HomeHomeExpress YourselfPanoramaFighting Terrorism; The Developed World's Approach and Global Order
Panorama
a TakingITGlobal online publication
Search



(Advanced Search)

Panorama Home
Issue Archive
Current Issue
Next Issue
Featured Writer
TIG Magazine
Writings
Opinion
Interview
Short Story
Poetry
Experiences
My Content
Edit
Submit
Guidelines
Fighting Terrorism; The Developed World's Approach and Global Order Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by Franklin Cudjoe, Ghana Sep 24, 2002
Peace & Conflict   Opinions
 1 2 3   Next page »

  

As surely as the ocean tides ebb and flow, a rising tide of terrorism has begun sending its grisly waves of death and destruction surging through the world. It does appear that so many opportunities remain open for terrorists; it is impossible to guard against all attacks. And God has prophesied that evil will grow worse and worse (II Tim.3: 13).
That prophecy written more than 1900 years ago is becoming increasingly relevant in our modern day.
The former Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, aptly said after the September 11 bombing that the “ survival of civilization is at stake”.
Terrorism is the single most dangerous crime against humanity. Killing people outside a war is terrorism. The purpose of terrorism is to change the behavior of the persons attacked. On 11 September 2001 the behavior of the American people changed. But all lovers of freedom, who make up more than half of the world’s population, had their behavior changed too. The attack on America is an aggression on global peace and freedom. In the words of an American friend, “ I have just realized that terrorism can occur any where. Take care.” It’s fighting requires a global approach.
In May 2001, I had the privilege of attending a high-level international symposium in Switzerland and in one of the leadership sessions, the leader, the President of The National Beer Wholesalers Association of America stated that there are 86 known terrorist groups, which according to the New York Times, fomented 423 international attacks in 2000. These attacks rose about eight percent over the previous year. Almost half were directed against the United States. Particularly with the sponsorship of totalitarian rouge states, these groups and their activities undermine democracy and the rule of law. Most of these groups, he went on, hide behind radical ideologies and seek to identify themselves with the poor and refugees from ongoing local conflicts, but their activity remains murderous and destructive. The attack on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in D.C, were not only cowardly but also murderous and destructive.
It is unfortunate that those who support these terrorist pigs cite the incredulous saying that ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’. I wonder the kind of freedom fighters who take up arms against an opponent without the giving the opponent the chance to defend himself. Why should the target of these so-called freedom fighters be innocent men and women from across the globe? What about attacking innocent and hard working Africans in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998? These trouble makers and merchants of death have caused the deaths of at least 5 million Africans since the end of colonialism in the early 1960s.

A singular lesson of the 20th century is that to give in to international blackmail is to invite more and expanded terrorism. Yet as we grapple with the barbarism and ways to counter it, we should be mindful that this new war is a complex one relying on modern technology.
At a conference on global peace held before the events of 9/11 and under the auspices of The Carnegie Institute for Peace, one participant suggested that adversaries might seek to draw the United States into expensive, traditional campaigns to divert its expenditures from new technological development to the fighting of comparatively routine wars. Such an outcome would allow potential enemies more time for technological catch-up. Other participants suggested that smaller states, state-sponsored terrorist groups, and non-state actors may be rapidly developing the capacity to attack the United States at low cost, often by adapting commercially available technology. For example, as rogue states and terrorist groups develop biological weapons capacity that could cause serious economic disruption in the United States, they call into question the ability of the United States to prevent an attack or respond quickly. The fears of these participants have been confirmed and the ‘new war’ has begun.

Fighting terror is a must. The approach however, must be global. The war drums being beaten by what have been referred to as WAR HAWKS on a possible attack on Iraq is being seen in the eyes of many as unwarranted and by war-hungry leader in the person of Mr. George Bush. Others say he wants to continue his father’s unfinished war in the Gulf region.

There appears to be a global understanding of the effects of terrorism and a general consensus to fighting it but the methods are not unitary.
A school of thought led by Lynn Miller believes that the war system survives today not only because it is encouraged by the Westphalian structure of decentralized states, but also because it has always been seen as the ultimate alternative to impotence in the face of unacceptable threats to society. If all states were to move toward non-interventionist foreign policies built upon effective civilian-based defense, then the ultimate sanction of war-its traditionally legitimate form would no longer be needed.





 1 2 3   Next page »   


Tags

You must be logged in to add tags.

Writer Profile
Franklin Cudjoe


This user has not written anything in his panorama profile yet.
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.