How can we think differently about the war on terror?

Question

Terrorism isn't a threat that you can fight in the same manner you can fight a war.

Al-qeada is not a nation-state, but rather groups of individuals spread throughout a variety of nation-states and therefore can not be fought in the same manner we are used to. Unfortunately, the people in charge of our gov't cut their teeth on the cold war and are used to conflict that is directed at a sole evil empire, e.g. the USSR, and that is why we have fought Afghanistan and Iraq. Terrorism is a new and different threat and we need to think differently about how we deal with it.

As Secretary of State how would you approach this subject?

Answer 1

Well, when one says the "War on Terrorism" they are mainly refering to the war in Afghanistan. Iraq is considered the "War In Iraq" and is not to be confused with the "War on Terrorism". This is a little wierd considering how there is both terrorism and Al Quida in Iraq. The War On Terrorism isn't debated that much. Most Americans agree that it was a good idea to invade Afghanistan. The contreversy lies in the invasion of Iraq. Many people believe the invasion of Iraq was excessive use of military might. As to thinking differently about the current wars, I agree to this statement, and believe it or not, the strategists in the Military are considering it to be a totally different type of war. It is the American People who are considering these two wars to be just another Gulf War or a miniture version of the Vietnam War. But the War on Terrorism and the War in Iraq are not like the Gulf War and Vietnam War. Today, we are not fighting nations as we did in the Gulf and Vietnam Wars. We are fighting ordinary people. People who have been hypnotized by 1500 years of Islamic distortion (not to say that Islam is a bad religion, but rather its current distortion, the Taliban, is a bad influence on the Middle East and its people). We are not suffering unsermountable casualties as we did in the Vietnam War. In fact, as far as wars go, this is a relatively small war. With these differences and many more, it is important to realize what war we are in and what war we are not. Our Military understands the difference, so now its time that we do too.

Answer 2

George Washington explained it best. When you give aid to one side you become the enemy of thier opponenents. For 50 years we have backed every bloodthirsty regime in the middloe east. From Israel to Sadaam we have helped them all. Terrorism is an upshoot of that.

Cut off ALL FORIEGN AID

Answer 3

Admit that we are actually fighting radicalized Islam, for one.

Furthermore-- "Fight like WW2, finish like WW2; fight like Vietnam, finish like Vietnam." We need to be less squeamish about killing the enemy and breaking their stuff.

Doesn't help if we're too PC to call the enemy by their right name.

Answer 4

I do it the same way it is being done now. but maybe go into pakistan to get the terrorists.