Does a military solution stop, contain, or provoke terror?

Question

There are 180 countries, 7 Billion people (1,6 Billion islamic) on this earth, half of them don't know, how to survive the next day. What makes anybody think, that terror, as outlet for frustration, could be contained by a couple of guns and tanks. Never, not once in all of human history, has a military solution lasted in any conflict, if the heart of the people wasn't in it. So, where does the Pentagon get the intelligence, that their big budget actions improve anything? From Korea, Vietnam, Angola, Nigeria, Somalia, liberia, Palestinia, Balkans, Afghanistan, Haiti to Iraq and many more, has any of this conflicts really been solved by the military or despite the military?

Answer 1

In regards to the Islamic extremists, you can find those who claim military intervention hastens terrorist acts. These are however the same people that rely on the laziness of the American public to accept what is being fed to them without asking for the proof supporting the accusations. It’s hard to know what underlying motivation fuels the people making this argument, possibly just simple naive te. We would hope that it is simple ignorance on the part of the accuser, for how does one conclude a causal relationship between military intervention and terrorism when through research we find that; the Islamic extremists have been taught from early childhood that it is their responsibility and duty to either convert or destroy those that do not believe as they do, and that they are taught to die in the process of killing unbelievers is the only way to be assured entrance into heaven. This is not something new, they have been taught this for years, and yes, that means years prior to Iraq. The problem with wars these days is that they are either won or lost in the media, not the battlefield. You are correct in asserting that, “Never, not once in all of human history, has a military solution lasted in any conflict, if the heart of the people wasn't in it”. The media plays such an integral part in formulating public opinion and the only ones oblivious to this reality appears to be the US military. The enemies in this case, the Islamic extremists, understand the importance of the media all too well. They have watched the American people over the years and found that we really do not have the stomach nor the will for war. It has been reported that Bin Laden used the lessons learned in Somalia as the basis for the 9/11 attacks. They have watched us lose a war that we were clearly winning in Vietnam because we lost the media war. And no, I am not a proponent of the Vietnam conflict, just using it as a relevant example. The extremists have watched and learned that every time since Vietnam when the US was involved in a conflict, all that was required to send us running was negative publicity. Because of the negative publicity surrounding Iraq, we now see the democrats attempting to cut funding for the troops by introducing a bill that sets a timetable for withdrawl regardless of the conditions on the ground. Isn't it reasonable to make the connection that we are giving the extremists and ultimately Bin Laden, exactly what they had expected from the onset? The media however, will not portray it in that light. Instead you will hear that congress failed to pass troop funding, or that the president vetoed funding for the troops. The media types as well as many democrats, don't undertand the logic behind keeping secrets from your enemies. In the long run, it really doesn’t matter how they spin it, the result will be the same. Funding will run out for the military. We will again force our fighting men and women to leave what most feel is a cause worth dying for. The difference this time is that unlike the Vietnamese who didn’t want to follow us back home, the extremists do. Then we sit back and wait for the next Pearl Harbor, or 9/11, or maybe something worse. As sick a comment as this is; lets just hope that when the next attack occurs, enough people are killed so that the reason we are fighting isn't as easily forgotten. Since the last attack killed more than three thousand, it will obviously take more deaths than that....

Answer 2

The UK's involvement in Iraq has drummed up hatred for our country. It was the catalyst for the 7/7 London bombings and the copycat failed bombings. It is the reason that people now double take a 'brown' person on the tubes.

You are so right that a military solution is futile if the heart of the people is not in it.

Just look at the state of Iraq now. Terror is an everyday part of every Iraqi civilians life. Around 100 people per day are losing their lives to terror. We have opened a can of worms, being naive enough to think we can depose a dictator and then life will be just rosy.

I am no strategist, but I knew this would happen! It is just logic. I am not some elite ruling class with no connection to real life, such as Rumsfeld, Bush, Blair. They have lost touch with real people and should be held accuntable for their decision making and the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

Imagine the diplomacy that $300 billion could buy a country! You could break down real boundaries! Metaphorically that is!

Answer 3

Military actions started lots of terrorism,9\11 was started because U.S. Military were attacking and killing Muslims in the middle east and out,terrorism in Israeli occupied Palestine was provoked by Israeli TERROR on the Palestinians,Terrorism in Iraq Started ever since its occupation by the U.S. military.Other terrorism elsewhere also some thing by the military or Government my advice to the military in the wrong place "Get you stinking army back were they came from"otherwise we will be seeing more terror this world.

Answer 4

It totally provokes. Look at the US history , why did the revolt against Britain begin? Look at revolts all over, it is a law,
IT TAKES TWO TO FIGHT. The US has many companies into what is called security industries, there are more soldiers of fortune working for these companies and earning money in Iraq then US soldiers. War is business, america is a country that loves mammon, it worships it in truth . The only problem is that another law is, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND, IE KARMA COUNTS.

Answer 5

It contains Terrorists and keeps them busy on their turf...No Attacks on the US since we started...That is wort the effort, in its self.
The real way to Stop it, is to continue to pound it and not let up..Once you walk away, they will regroup and begin their reign of terror all over again..

Answer 6

Your right. There is no military solution in 'containing' terror.
Unfortunately both the Pentagon and Bush are to greedy and dumb to realize that.

Answer 7

It depends on the situation... if you were being raped or murdered and there was a MILITARY which came to SAVE YOU... you would be thankful, right?

Answer 8

The Pentagon is a black hole of world evil....but they have the perfect camoflage....the FLAG

Americans are a sad people...they are weak and sad

Answer 9

Oh it won't stop it. Probably provokes it. But if you get to kill all of the terrorists it should contain it.