America's Response to a Global Problem

The threat of terrorism needs to be dealt with swiftly, strongly, and rationally. Viable solutions are out there; we just need the political will to implement them. Below are the "5 D's" as described by Kofi Annan of the United Nations; [1] they are a logical and workable method to address the problem.

• Dissuade disaffected groups from choosing terrorism
  as a tactic to achieve their goals.
• Deny terrorists the means to carry out their attacks.
• Deter States from supporting terrorism.
• Develop States' capacities to prevent terrorism.
• Defend human rights in the struggle against terrorism.

The detailed suggestions under each "D" are my own thoughts on these matters.

1. Dissuade disaffected groups from choosing terrorism as a tactic to achieve their goals.

One of the things law enforcement has discovered about the persons recruited by terrorist organizations is that they are young people, usually between the ages of 21 and 35, from middle class or privileged backgrounds who are facing an identity crisis and are searching for some meaning in their lives. They are frequently torn between western civilization and traditional culture.

The radical jihads are able to intervene to give these individuals a "cause." One of the biggest tools used in the indoctrination is the Internet, where thousands of propaganda sites that influence the choices of these young people can easily be found. (In Western Europe, where many sleeper cells operate, Internet cafes exist on virtually every other street.) These sites glorify the jihad, showing colorful swords and battle scenes, pictures of victory and virgins awaiting those who aid the cause. Western culture is shown as the enemy which must be defeated.

Despite the overwhelming number of these sites, there are very few counter-terrorism sites. We have done little or nothing to counteract the indoctrination process, thus ceding the philosophical battle to the terrorists. This is a mistake which needs to be corrected. Via the Internet, we can create thousands of websites which depict mainstream Islam (instead of radical Islam), which show our western culture not as an enemy, but as a partner with the Muslim community worldwide. Via radio, such as the Voice of America, we can counteract terrorist propaganda. We need a "hearts and minds" campaign that will overcome the clash of civilizations.

To do this, we need to partner with the American Muslim community which can address the internal crisis within Islam. Communities can defeat terrorism together by working collaboratively to avoid the dehumanizing process that must go on to legitimize jihad. In this way we can save many vulnerable young people from becoming part of the terrorist camp.

2. Deny terrorists the means to carry out their attacks.

We need to erect safeguards that reduce the likelihood of future harm to people throughout the world. One of the greatest problems that need to be addressed is the danger of unsecured WMD (weapons of mass destruction) sites. For instance, thousands of kilos of plutonium and uranium are still unsecured in the countries of the former Soviet Union. In addition, it is estimated by security experts that 20 metric tons of enriched uranium exist at civilian research reactors in 40 countries. The issue of these unsecured sites should be the highest priority; yet under the Bush Administration, the United States has done next to nothing to remedy this situation, leaving these sites vulnerable to plunder by terrorists.

Another basic strategy is the inspection of every container that enters the United States through our ports. We need to fully fund the Coast Guard so that they can inspect ships before they reach our ports. Some private companies are now developing systems that enable inspectors to screen cargo while it is still many miles from our shores on the open seas. Given that over 11 million cargo containers enter American ports every year, this system would ensure the safety of the ports while keeping interference with transport at a minimum.

Clearly, similar attention needs to be paid to the safety and security of our buses, our trains, our electrical grids, our water supply, and our borders. Finally, there must always be an effective response to credible intelligence from now on.

3. Deter States from supporting terrorism.

We need to address the international financial support given to terrorist organizations.

The United States already has many statutes on the books, such as the money laundering laws, to monitor and cut off the flow of money to terrorist organizations. However, there are other countries that not only permit but also encourage the funding of charities that are known to give financial support to Al Qaeda and its associated cells. Saudi Arabia is one such glaring example. Saudi authorities have spent over $75 billion on such charities over the past 20-30 years, with no oversight as to how this money is being spent. Many local officials are Al Qaeda supporters.

This Administration, led by a president who has close ties to Saudi Arabia and other Arab states and a strong dependency on the money from foreign oil, has failed to confront these countries over their financial support of terrorists. We need to reduce our dependency on foreign oil so that we can deal from a position of strength and put pressure on the Saudis and others to cease funding Islamic charities with ties to Al Qaeda.

For states that harbor terrorists, we should start with diplomacy and multilateral security strategies. It is too simplistic to refuse to deal with countries because they are "evil." Every country has national and international interests, and understanding what those interests are, and how it benefits them if they cooperate with us, is a strategic weapon to use in negotiation. The "big stick" of coercive force is always available as a last resort.

4. Develop States' capacities to prevent terrorism.

For countries ("nation states") that have neither the know-how nor the financial capability to implement methods of deterring and preventing terrorism, experts from more developed and wealthier countries should provide substantial assistance to help these poorer countries develop an anti-terrorist program. Experts should be loaned to these countries to provide them with information and assistance in setting up preventative and protective measures.

There should also be one central counter-terrorism center that maintains a comprehensive, worldwide database. The center would also take the lead in carrying out investigations of countries suspected of developing WMD's or biological weapons, or suspected of harboring terrorist groups. The United Nations can take the lead in this regard. The United Nations could provide a sanctions monitoring group that would track the imposition and carrying out of sanctions against offending countries.

In this way countries that need help in fighting terrorism can receive competent assistance internally and appeal to the United Nations if necessary for additional information or help.

5. Defend human rights in the struggle against terrorism.

Even when using unilateral, coercive force, the United States must adhere to the rule of law if it is to have any credibility as a moral force in the world.

Foreign policy needs to be reshaped to help root out the causes of terrorism and hatred against the United States and other western countries. This means not supporting dictators who serve corporate global interests while torturing or abusing their own people. It means opposing the exploitation of poor people in other countries, who work in low wage sweatshops to ensure corporate profits. It means returning to a foreign policy based on understanding and respect for other people's religions, culture, lifestyle, values, and history.

From now on, Congress needs to insist on full disclosure about US dealings in foreign countries, investigate human rights abuses and test the Administration's assertions of reasons to go to war, fully research and explore alternatives to unilateral coercive force, and hold itself and the Executive branch accountable for failed policies and conflicts of interest. To remain naive or complaisant about these matters is entirely unacceptable.

Conclusion

While never easy, the steps that need to be taken to effectively secure America and combat terrorism are well known. We need the political will to use our resources intelligently and competently, instead of posturing for political gain.

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[1] Anan, Kofi  Secretary-General's keynote address to the Closing Plenary of the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security - "A Global Strategy for Fighting Terrorism" .   Madrid, Spain, 2005 March 10, http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=1345