Iraq Occupation Stimulates MORE Terrorism
Recently I noted the report by a committee of 100 U.S. security experts from across the ideological spectrum who maintained overwhelmingly that Iraq is expanding, not reducing terrorism:
"Asked whether the United States is "winning the war on terror," 84
percent said no and 13 percent answered yes.
"Asked whether the war in Iraq is helping or hurting the global
anti-terrorism campaign, 87 percent answered that it was undermining
those efforts. A similar number, 86 percent, said the world is becoming
'more dangerous for the United States and the American people.'"
Since then a committee of the British Parliament has concurred in this judgment.
A friend has sent along the following confirming reasons for the above, noting the 'humiliation' factor of occupation and the conditions in Iraq actually diminishing human rights -- as well as a confirming official U.S. report from Baghdad given only briefest mention in our media:
On Friday 30 June 2006 08:44, you wrote:
>> Subsequently I have heard dire reports to the effect that our incursions into Iraq and Afghanistan have mainly encouraged wider recruitment of terrorists.
"The US/UK/coalition incursions, especially the one in Iraq, are a major part of the "humiliations" mentioned in my email about Updike's misleading depiction of "homegrown" terrorism a few weeks ago. A few days after sending the email, I realised that the term "humiliations" used by the Palestinian psychologists I mentioned could be interpreted as the mere embarrassment or other annoyances. But the nature of the humiliation for some of the self-recruitment for terrorist causes is significant violation of human rights and other abuses. Every day, there are examples of such humiliations seen via the news, the Internet, and other routes.
"The US presence in Iraq and Afghanistan reminds of something James Baldwin said about police in the US ghettos. Even at the best, they remain an occupying army in the eyes of the residents.
>> Certainly the reports from Afghanistan and Iraq are depressing so far as American interests are concerned -- both are falling into sectarian
>> violence. Both are disenchanted by the American occupation, which has delivered only grief to their respective populations.
"Have you seen the the reports about a US Embassy - Baghdad communication to the US Secretary of State describing deteriorating conditions there? (I've attached a copy of the document.) It was first reported by the British press and there are some questions about it being for real. Paul Mulshine of the Star Ledger says he has gotten word from a State Department insider saying that the communique is for real.
http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/mulshine/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1151214918262020.xml&coll=1
"The document depicts the fragmentation and impact of extremism upon Iraqis. One of the aspects is the pour by various people to declare forbidden things that are not really forbidden by normative Islam, things such as men wearing shorts or women talking on a cell phone. The document notes a push by one group for women to cover their face, a measure way beyond the approaches in Iran. These, I see, as measures to sift the Iraqi people. Very dangerous time. I also see the US lack of ample language resources being hit by the US State Department not being able to have local translators on hand for any occasion where their identities might be disclosed."
............................
I can confirm the sense that people had when we were living in Harlem that the police were an occupying force from without (most lived either outside of NYC or in NJ) and several lists relating to African American affairs from which I receive reports also indicate growing sympathy with the occupied -- both Iraqis and Palestinians. I mention this, as there is not a single voice or perspective working now in this country, despite the silencing of our politicians in Washington and the one-sided media coverage of both occupation sites. National churches are also objecting strenuously to both occupations. Ed Kent
P.S. In The Prince Machiavelli strongly warned against using occupying armies to subdue a conquered state -- they stimulate 'insurgencies'.
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent 718-951-5324 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PeaceEfforts
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Israel_Palestine
http://BlogByEdKent.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloggernews.net
"Asked whether the United States is "winning the war on terror," 84
percent said no and 13 percent answered yes.
"Asked whether the war in Iraq is helping or hurting the global
anti-terrorism campaign, 87 percent answered that it was undermining
those efforts. A similar number, 86 percent, said the world is becoming
'more dangerous for the United States and the American people.'"
Since then a committee of the British Parliament has concurred in this judgment.
A friend has sent along the following confirming reasons for the above, noting the 'humiliation' factor of occupation and the conditions in Iraq actually diminishing human rights -- as well as a confirming official U.S. report from Baghdad given only briefest mention in our media:
On Friday 30 June 2006 08:44, you wrote:
>> Subsequently I have heard dire reports to the effect that our incursions into Iraq and Afghanistan have mainly encouraged wider recruitment of terrorists.
"The US/UK/coalition incursions, especially the one in Iraq, are a major part of the "humiliations" mentioned in my email about Updike's misleading depiction of "homegrown" terrorism a few weeks ago. A few days after sending the email, I realised that the term "humiliations" used by the Palestinian psychologists I mentioned could be interpreted as the mere embarrassment or other annoyances. But the nature of the humiliation for some of the self-recruitment for terrorist causes is significant violation of human rights and other abuses. Every day, there are examples of such humiliations seen via the news, the Internet, and other routes.
"The US presence in Iraq and Afghanistan reminds of something James Baldwin said about police in the US ghettos. Even at the best, they remain an occupying army in the eyes of the residents.
>> Certainly the reports from Afghanistan and Iraq are depressing so far as American interests are concerned -- both are falling into sectarian
>> violence. Both are disenchanted by the American occupation, which has delivered only grief to their respective populations.
"Have you seen the the reports about a US Embassy - Baghdad communication to the US Secretary of State describing deteriorating conditions there? (I've attached a copy of the document.) It was first reported by the British press and there are some questions about it being for real. Paul Mulshine of the Star Ledger says he has gotten word from a State Department insider saying that the communique is for real.
http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/mulshine/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1151214918262020.xml&coll=1
"The document depicts the fragmentation and impact of extremism upon Iraqis. One of the aspects is the pour by various people to declare forbidden things that are not really forbidden by normative Islam, things such as men wearing shorts or women talking on a cell phone. The document notes a push by one group for women to cover their face, a measure way beyond the approaches in Iran. These, I see, as measures to sift the Iraqi people. Very dangerous time. I also see the US lack of ample language resources being hit by the US State Department not being able to have local translators on hand for any occasion where their identities might be disclosed."
............................
I can confirm the sense that people had when we were living in Harlem that the police were an occupying force from without (most lived either outside of NYC or in NJ) and several lists relating to African American affairs from which I receive reports also indicate growing sympathy with the occupied -- both Iraqis and Palestinians. I mention this, as there is not a single voice or perspective working now in this country, despite the silencing of our politicians in Washington and the one-sided media coverage of both occupation sites. National churches are also objecting strenuously to both occupations. Ed Kent
P.S. In The Prince Machiavelli strongly warned against using occupying armies to subdue a conquered state -- they stimulate 'insurgencies'.
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent 718-951-5324 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PeaceEfforts
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Israel_Palestine
http://BlogByEdKent.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloggernews.net
posted by Ed Kent at 7:29 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home