Beating the Drums of War – Who is Next, Iran?

There must be a serious psychologically organic problem with George W. Bush and his neo-conservative policy makers in Washington. The drums of war are beating again, much the same as the prelude to the War in Iraq. When is enough, enough? The whole concept of waging war in other countries (whether in Iran or anywhere else) in order to avoid war at home or to prevent world destruction emanates from a time when military build-up in the USSR and the US was threatening the existence of life on the planet. It is anachronistic and nonsensical.

The cold war did not end because the United States won the cold war with the USSR, rather, the cold war ended when Soviet leaders (led by Gorbachev) and the Russian people decided that living in abject poverty and forfeiting the opportunity for individual and collective well being and success, superseded the need to maintain a military industry complex to compete in a zero game with Western interests. As a result, the US became pre-eminent. So, now, what is the U.S. doing with this pre-eminence?

Well, it is imposing its political, economic, religious, and other views, values and systems on other countries which have no historical context or will to absorb the "American" way of life. Granted, it is coming from a place of belief in "righteousness", but what is this tantamount to? Well, the obvious parallel with the USSR and its attempt to coerce countries to comply with a "self-anointed and righteous" superior socio-political system should not go unnoticed. Take away the concepts of a Christian God and a participative democracy (so-called), and the comparisons are astoundingly similar. Secondly, it is ironic that the former Soviet Union met its Waterloo in Afghanistan. And where are American and Canadian troops now – yes, Afghanistan. And why are they there? Well, to combat the "War on Terror" says the American Administration.

Frankly, one has about as much probability of combating or stomping our terrorism as emptying the Atlantic Ocean with a spoon. Terrorism is like a long balloon. If you step on one end, it bulges out at the other. What American neo-conservatives and the religious right do not realize is that terrorism has been around since the dawn of time. But what in fact is it?

Terrorism typically involves using a parochial interpretation of dogma as a platform to mobilize fanatical opinion and using fear of death (usually horrific and sensational) to accomplish religious, political, economic, and/or social aims. Terrorists operate in secret, clandestine enclaves and environments. They have become unusually difficult to identify in our increasingly homogeneous socio-cultural landscape. Terrorist leaders are usually a combination narcissist, martyr, charismatic orator, and military strategist. Their reason for being is to aggrandize their cause and themselves – not necessarily in that order. In life, they wreak havoc and fulfill their egocentric desires. In death, they rejoice. No downside. Their followers follow - blindly and blithely adhering to the word of the prophet or seer.

So how do you quash terrorism? Well, you don’t do it by waging war on all sides of the globe under the guise of God and Country. A planet divided is a planet vulnerable. The only way to wage war against terror is to have the world community "on-side" in actively marginalizing known terrorist countries and regimes, whilst simultaneously protecting themselves against attack.

Secondly, since the heart of the conflict in the Middle East is related to access to and security of energy reserves (i.e. oil) you create alternate energy sources to reduce or eliminate this reliance. Surely this is possible? Come on – man on the moon, nuclear fission, nanotechnology; and we can’t run our cars and factories on something other than oil and its byproducts? Secondly, you marginalize countries which harbor terrorists. Yes, it is difficult and life is harsh for the average citizenry of these countries, and while change can be evolutionary or revolutionary, lasting and adaptive change is always initiated from within. Imposition of foreign values and belief systems from outside will simply not work. These principles need to be fought for by the people themselves.

Lastly, the Bush Administration will take credit for the noticeable lack of terrorist attacks on American soil since 9/11; this, in spite of overwhelming evidence that the Homeland Security safety net resembles Swiss cheese. Nevertheless, it is time to realize that the real answer lies not in creating armed conflicts worldwide to resolve potential future armed conflicts, but rather, in moving the world community towards marginalizing countries who do not buy into a positive vision of the future (and not just the absence of a negative vision).

As long as there are vast economic disparities between people and countries; where basic human necessities are not available; where religions posit an afterlife where things are better than they are in the here and now; where opportunities for education are absent or poor; where public infrastructure cannot meet needs; and where disenfranchised youth look toward the future with no hope (other than a glorious death), then terrorism will continue to be a mark on humanity. Waging war abroad while we sit smugly in our homes watching world events on CNN is a recipe for desensitization, outrage, and apathy; and will only lead to propping up and perpetuating ideas and strategies that have not worked and will not work. It’s time for a change.