Until 9/11, the focus of security apparatuses of most of the countries was mostly on conventional security threats. With the tragic events of 9/11, conventional security threats notwithstanding, the focus shifted more on unconventional forces—faceless enemy indoctrinated with a destructive ideology that can go to any length to fulfill its radical agenda. And dealing with this enemy is not easy. It has no state but has networks all over the world and as such, no country can say it faces no threats from this new enemy. It is always lurking in the dark to find an opportune time to attack.
As a reaction to the attacks, America toppled the brutal and medieval-ish Taliban regime which was providing a safe haven to the enemies of the civilized world, including the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin-Laden. After the 9/11 attacks, the world supported and sympathized with America, evident by the fact that Afghanistan attack was supported by all nations, and toppling of the anachronistic Taliban regime was celebrated all over the world. But fairly soon, the US government, very much in grip of the neo-conservative ideologues who completely disregarded world opinion, norms of international law and the UN Charter, attacked Iraq on the pretext that it had weapons of mass destruction (WMD). With the attacks on Iraq, the world opinion began to shift—it became critical of America for its unilateral action.
America’s response to the terrorist attacks proves that unleashing military might does not work when dealing with the new faceless enemy, and that it is best to work together with all responsible nations in containing this powerful enemy of the civilized world. The futility of military action is clear from the fact that even after almost nine years of operations in Afghanistan, the radical groups have not been defeated—on the contrary they are emerging as powerful forces in Afghan politics. Iraq, too, has been faring badly. Terrorist activities, suicide bombings in particular, have continued unabated.
Offering our heartfelt condolences to the families of 9/11 victims, we would like to once again emphasize on a peaceful approach in containing terrorism. Instead of going after individual terrorists with our guns and unleashing military might on innocent civilians, the world would be better off if all nations work together to find out what instills hatred in the young people’s minds that makes them blow themselves up for a fantastic radical ideology. Could it be poverty, illiteracy or the sense of being denied justice that turn them into brutal killing machines? Only when we know the answers to these questions, we would be able to come up with effective ways to contain terrorism and ensure the safety of innocent civilians all over the world.
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