America’s New Challenge

By: Leroy A. Binns Ph.D.

 

September 11, a date of infamy which has oftentimes been equated with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 has resulted in the loss of approximately three thousand lives, set in motion an economic catastrophic at home and abroad and spurred international cooperation to combat terror.

The aftermath of this historic attack on American soil is unprecedented. Unemployment rose sharply to record levels while industries such as the financial, transportation and manufacturing sectors made startling news with costly closures and/or limited service and most importantly a sudden loss of capital. Subsequently the incident altered investment strategies, shattered patronage for air travel and diminished the sales of domestic automobiles. The “fallout” has contributed to an incomprehensible reduction of revenue that could ultimately lead to a recession.

In response President George W. Bush has adopted a two prong approach to terminate this crisis. Locally financial assistance to the tune of billions of dollars is under consideration for the unemployed and vital organs of the commercial sector, tax incentives are proposed to stimulate economic growth and legislation has been approved to ensure aviation safety. In addition beyond US shores the commander in chief has acquired the assistance of European and Arab allies in an attempt to monitor and bring to justice elements of horror while preserving an alliance on a purification crusade in Afghanistan.

Presently the international community has been successful in utilizing intelligence capabilities to expose links within and obtain arrests of members of the al-Qaeda network worldwide. The same is true on the battle front in Afghanistan where the coalition along with the Northern Alliance have made inroads by capturing all cities with the exception of Kandahar and Kunduz consequently forcing the Taliban to seek refuge in the north.

With a resolution in sight the United Nations is preparing to engage Afghan political factions on the subject of leadership and multinational peace keeping efforts. Moreover amidst a puzzling threat from biological warfare Washington’s eagerness to extinguish the agenda of Islamic fundamentalists is demonstrated through propaganda campaigns on Qatar’s al-Jezeera TV and the offering of a $25 million bounty for the capture of al-Qaeda’s supreme commander Osamba bin Laden.

Such steps are commendable and could advance hasty predictions partial to the affirmative nonetheless a thorough observation of past and present dynamics may add a different dimension to this calamity. According to Stella Rimington, a former head of M15 while addressing the Cheltenham Festival of Literature “Winning the war against terrorism will be extremely difficult despite the West’s massive fire power. I do not feel incredibly confident about this war against terrorism. Terrorism is with us. New groups will come who regard terrorism as very useful in drawing attention to their causes.”

To other victory is conceivable but highly contingent on a holistic attitude towards peace. The search for bin Laden must supercede the objective for normalcy in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Unfortunately the absence of foresight could result in a situation similar to that in Somalia in 1993 in which the Clinton regime was held accountable for the loss of eighteen US rangers and a swift retreat that followed due to its focus on the capture of warlord Mohammed Farah Aideed.

Given the circumstances that led to political and economic chaos in Afghanistan the composition of the new Afghan government must attract precedence. A deficiency in recognition of the importance of all factions will be liable for a repeat of history namely the rebirth of the Northern Alliance and the Taliban government of the past decade. In other words favoritism in the promotion of a “coalition of sorts” akin to the Liberal Alliance of Arnoldo Aleman which defeated the national Sandinista Liberation Front (FSLN) of Daniel Ortega in the 1996 general election in Nicaragua could yield the same outcome – a leadership without a platform susceptible to the power of its nemesis.

Although the United States is not expected to meet the demands of al-Qaeda the latter echoes the sentiments of Palestinians and Syrians who are confronted with injustice at the hands of the state of Israel. The Arab world, has long condemned Washington for financing Israel’s war of terror in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and have therefore sought mediation for the return of confiscated property in the 1967 war to its rightful owner. However a paradox exist, as America bargains in favor of Israel thus allowing the expansion of Jewish interests on Palestinian soil and an ongoing bloodbath for a just reward.  

At the US Army War College in Carlysle Barracks, Pennsylvania Egyptian Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Abo-Sak in a presentation entitled “US Involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Solution or Complication?” emphatically stated, “ The main problem is Israel continues to occupy Arab territory and the United States continues to give Israel diplomatic, military, economic and informational support. The US has consistently opposed any UN resolutions that would bring justice to the Palestinians even when Israel is found guilty of human rights violations.” Such protracted rivalry is also applicable to Syria which experiences an equally unsettling plight as she awaits the return of the Golan Heights but is faced with obstacles in light of US allegiance to Israel at any cost.

Another issue of dispute is the lone superpower’s unwavering reinforcement of economic sanctions against Iraq which has dire consequences notably its impact on the quality of life of infants, young children and the elderly. In fact to complicate a complex situation albeit conjecture officials within the defense department are contemplating an attack on Iraq for the launching of anthrax in the United States.

The nature of the international coalition and the consummation of Arab/Israeli relations are at stake. An excessive loss of lives and property in Afghanistan could incite condemnation from the United Nations and the withdrawal of sponsorship from neighboring Russia and Pakistan and the Arab world. Besides an assault on Iraq or consistency in policy unfavorable to the Palestinians, Syrians and Iraqis would risk a possibility to reshape the Middle East and abate global mass destruction. The White House must seize this window of opportunity to further prosperity to the disenfranchised.