Every day we live in the constant reality of a GWOT. As Americans, we are stressed by threats of terror in our own country and are spread out all over the world in the name of the fight against terrorism. When will the GWOT end? Or do you think it will end? Also, what do you think will take to end this war? Feel free to pick and choose which questions you would like to answer. This is an open-ended discussion.
2006-10-21 16:38:09 · 12 answers · asked by sforce973 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
I suppose that this is a multi-layered question. If we are discussing the current United States foreign and domestic security policies, I suppose that the long-term effects will depend on where the US wishes to apply its forces, and this has differing effects in places. In Afghanistan, while much of the country remains in a state of instability, at least many of the urban areas are experiencing some modicum of stability, albeit due to the presence of foreign forces. In Iraq, however, where there was some level of stability beforehand, we are seeing that it is a long road to returning Iraq to a true state of independence.
However, I have to question the whole notion of a Global War on Terrorism. In the first place, how can a state conduct a war on a philosophy or policy? I suppose that it is something that can be targeted, but to refer to it as a war is rather problematic. Perhaps a global "police-action" is more appropriate. I suppose that much of my misgivings arise from seeing the events of 11 September 2001 not as an act of war, but as a major criminal action on the part of the rough equivalent of a Muslim Mafia.
The problem is that terrorism is something that cannot be brought down with weapons or troops. True, we can eliminate terrorists, but as long as the conditions exist that allow terrorist actions to have the intended effect, terrorism itself will eventually re-emerge. I point out that the bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995 was an act in the same mindset at the World Trade Center attacks, and yet the perpetrators of this came from elements that were previously unthought-of. In the same vain, anyone with similar grievances can concoct a similar attack on a low-end level, such as your run-of-the-mill car bomber to two high-school students creating havoc at their school to the average schoolyard bully creating terror in their fellow students.
The only way terrorism is going to be ended is if the conditions for terrorism being a plausible action are eliminated, and for a peaceful society, that would require that everyone be willing to abide by the rules of that society. We have yet to discover how that can be accomplished. I suppose that the maxim that “if crime doesn't pay, why are there so many criminals” applies.
The Global War of Terrorism will probably have several possible results. One is that would-be terrorists will be less likely to commit acts of terrorism if they know that by doing so they decrease the likelihood of their goals from being accomplished. This might happen on a large organisational level, where retaliation (such as combat operations in their homelands) might be a significant deterrent. However, I worry about the other possible results, where an intractable group sees little hope of success with their goals and resort to a last ditch attack that would result in millions of casualties, such as the release of a biological agent or something nuclear. The lone nut, willing to be self-destructive at the cost of many countless lives, will be difficult to stop.
However, I suspect that the true battle lies within us. Do we allow a few criminal actions from affecting our lives? Precautions that we take at airports and borders are useful and unfortunately unnecessary, but if I were to live my life feeling that I could be the victim of a terrorist action, then the terrorist already has a victory. Save for the “really big” attack that I suspect will be impossible to me to stop, the best way that I can combat terrorism is to acknowledge that it could happen, but live life as normal as possible. After all, I could be killed in a traffic accident (I was in one recently, so that’s not unfounded), but to keep be from travelling on our roadways would be caving into fear, and that is what a terrorist fights with. Perhaps that is how terrorism is stopped, by committing our peaceful society to one without irrational fear. That will be the long-term effect, if a society can adapt to the existence of terrorist criminal acts and not allow it to impact our lives unduly. I simply hope that what the US actions so far do no negate this strategy.
2006-10-22 08:40:57 · answer #1 · answered by Ѕємι~Мαđ ŠçїєŋŧιѕТ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The whole notion of a 'war' on terrorism is ridiculous to start with. The term 'war on terrorism' is a propaganda phrase tossed around by our government to instill fear and to further the idea and feeling of there being an us and a them. By trying to fight an actual war to overcome terrorism and by trying to create fear in citizens the government is only becoming another source of fear and a danger itself. Terrorism is not going to end any time soon. The only way that the world will see a decline and end to terrorism is if the world as a whole can bring about peace between countries, treat people justly, make sure that there is food and medical care for everyone, etc. It is repeated hardships and unrest in societies that eventually give birth to terrorists and their followers.
2006-10-22 16:47:58 · answer #2 · answered by spiderspell 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you fight a concept or an idea, you cannot win. If it gets to close, the terrorists will disappear for weeks ,months or years,and then strike, where you least expect them. Bin Laden issues a tape and HS goes ballistic, each time, costing the US taxpayer a fortune. Bin Laden, if he is still alive, promised to bankrupt the US as he did Russia. This war, combined with the sellout of the working class by Corp. America, by sending all the middle income jobs offshore in a successful effort to increase the wealth of the wealthiest 10% or so of Americans will in a few years reduce the once mighty USA to a third world country.
2006-10-22 09:31:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem is that it's really only just America doing the whole GWOT thing. Britain can't really do anything because of the high amount of Muslims living in their country. I think America will still fight it, but because of divisions on the issue, it won't have the full support of the country and it's people, eventually resulting in a weak offensive towards the issue. Plus, the GWOT particularly targets one group of people, the Arabs, which they won't publicly abmit, but it's true and that pisses alot of people off.
2006-10-21 23:43:52 · answer #4 · answered by Yishai 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the war on terrorism will bring more refugees and humanitarian migrants into countries like australia and america... which will in turn increase multiculturalism although ignorant people will reject the migrants from society..as u can imagine!
this war will end. this is exactly like the vietnam war.. oh jeez.. "domino theory" (if vietnam would fall communist then other countries in the asia pacific also would..)but vietnam DID fall communist and the domino theory was proved wrong. now we all look back on that war and think pshhh i cant believe people actually believed there was a threat of communism...woops i'm rambling.. yeah as i was saying!! same thing is happening now with the "threat of terrorism".. theres no REAL threat of terrorism.. if terrorism is defined as "creating terror" then george bush is a terrorist.
ok i'm sorry my rambling probably didnt answer your question but i got bored of doing my year 10 history homework so yeah :]
2006-10-21 23:47:00 · answer #5 · answered by nikki 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The administration calling it a "war" is just a way to make people fearful. Why not a war on hurricanes and tsunamis and earthquakes. Rediculus? So is a war on terror.
Terror has alway been around. We just were never brainwashed it believing we needed to go to war. Many countries with dictatorships are jumping on the bandwagon, calling all oposition to the terror.
2006-10-21 23:50:02 · answer #6 · answered by the shadow knows 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We will never defeat terrorist with an army. An army can fight an army or destroy a country, but is a target for terrorist. The best way to defeat terrorist is to have all the people organized in neighborhood watches to locate and report terrorist to the police. We should never have gone to Iraq and have just wasted lives and money there. We got involved there to help Bush get elected for a second term and secure the oil supply.
2006-10-21 23:48:18 · answer #7 · answered by Pey 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will last as long as Muslims cling to the "convert or die" mentality. We outlasted the fascists and the communists, but Islam has been spreading by deadly force for centuries. Israel has been fighting this battle for almost 60 years. I don't think we'll see peace in our lifetime.
2006-10-21 23:48:13 · answer #8 · answered by dwg1998red 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if u want to get the main point of this problem is something called israel and blindy american support to israel even in time of war and killing it protect israel in united nation
west bank and gaza , mountain of golan , mazare3 sheba ( lebanon) all are considered occupied terroritory from united nation and america it self and not part of state of israel
but accourding to american law who can say no to israel
it provided more hate to america from some people who have blind hate that bushed them to commit crims against american people
2006-10-21 23:56:00 · answer #9 · answered by micho 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will take us to fight it as a war, and stop farting around. The long term effects will depend upon how we decide to fight and if we win.
2006-10-21 23:42:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋