How Quickly We Forget - We Have Been at War Since 9/11

The day after September 11, 2001, President Bush spoke to the American public and declared that we were at war. He told us very clearly that this was a different type of enemy, one that was not located in one country but within the borders of many countries. He told us that this fight would be long and that decisions that the country will make in fighting this war will not be always clearly understood at first. From the press, to the anti-war protesters, to church groups we have all accepted the line we are “going to war” in Iraq. We have been at war with the factions within Iraq since September 11th.

Past historical events always continue to affect us. The reality is that at the time certain decisions were made it seemed like the right thing to do; to right an injustice, but in the long term these decisions may not play out as the right decision. As an example, when the Shah of Iran sought our help to stop the pending Islamic Revolution, President Carter coming off Watergate and the recent bitter Vietnam War chose not to assist the Shah. Our help could have not only kept a friendly power in Iran but kill the seed of Islamic extremism from expanding past Iran’s borders.

President Clinton, enjoying a strong economic boom chose not to deal with Saddam’s failures to meet UN sanctions and chose not to kill Bin Laden when we had a gun pointed to his head in Albania for fear that this would derail our economic windfall by bringing in a military conflict. He furthered curtailed covert CIA activities as not a priority.

As a result of these inactions, the Islamic extremists have had the freedom to build a worldwide terrorist organization with no pressure from the United States or any world body. The extreme Islamic movement has built a very powerful network armed not only with well-trained soldiers but weapons of mass destruction and fueled by an international network of available funds.

During World War II, England’s Chamberlain fought for peace at all costs and believed Hitler when he said he wanted no more expansion. I understand the anti-war protestors. I have a 17 year old son myself that could easily be involved in a pro tracked war. The sad fact is that we have no choice and we will not have the UN to support us.

France is fully dependent on Middle Eastern oil. They are one of Iraq’s largest trading partners. Russia and Germany as well have strong economic ties to Iraq. Their decision to resist supporting us is driven first by the risk that a war would have on their very economies.

The other real fact ignored by the press, ignored by our politicians but clearly understood by anyone studying world politics, is that if we fail to destabilize the Islamic threat, Israel could fail to survive. Saddam has publicly acknowledged that he pays $25,000 to each suicide bomber’s families and these bombings are destabilizing Israel. If America fails to remove the threat of expanding Islamic terrorists’ acts on a larger global scale, Israel by itself could not defend itself. But if this extreme act falls on Israel for its own survival it may have no other choice but to use their own weapons of mass destruction to defend itself.