TJP

Al-Qaeda is a shadow movement with an anti Western bent. The structure of Al-Qaeda, if one exists, is not well known. It appears, however, that the intended, or unintended, strategy is to use small groups of extremists in unstable nations to launch attacks on Western nations, or on any nation for that matter. In doing so they lure Western military responses.

Apparently, they understand that Western military responses are often imprecise, causing collateral damages. Al-Qaeda benefits from even minor Western collateral damages. It provides them with recruits and the ability to set up fronts in multiple poor and failing nations.

The ability of Al-Qaeda to spread terror around the globe taxes Western military and is costly.

Thus, the strategy of those following Al-Qaeda’s philosophy is to recruit poor and dissatisfied Muslims around the globe and to spread the conflict. It appears that they are now recruiting from dissatisfied citizens in Sub Saharan Africa, which will complicate Western security and could lead to a wider racial conflict.

To achieve their aim they need poorly governed countries, Western collateral damages, and weapons suppliers.

Therefore, if the West could focus on strengthening failing countries, dissatisfaction in those nations would diminish, making it difficult for Al-Qaeda to establish new fronts. Moreover, there would be no need for the West to militarily invade those countries. Thus, avoiding any Western collateral damages.

In developing strategies and counter strategies, it is important for the West to think outside the military box. The West has sought stability in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa as far back as the Clinton administration.

In August of 1998 President Clinton said “there will be no sanctuary for terrorists” and ordered military strikes against bases in Afghanistan and Sudan. More than eleven years later, the West has not achieved a military solution.

What if the economies of Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan and other failing nations could flourish? Would their citizens be motivated to adhere to Al-Qaeda’s bankrupt philosophy?

If we examine the progress of Latin America, where in the past external militaristic solutions were applied to internal conflicts, we would see that those solutions did not lead to peace. And, the only active conflict in Latin America is the Colombian armed conflict, involving drugs, and foreign intervention.

Internal problems are, more often than not, socio-economical or political problems that cannot be solved militarily.

Certainly, the military component should be an option, but not the primary option. Additionally, the approach to stability ought to involve flexibility, procedural justice, cultural and regional differences.

It is important, therefore, for the West to support the development of former colonies by providing educational opportunities, funding for development, coaching on good governance, favorable trade conditions, and so on. Not to do so, may lead to an unsustainable military engagement.

SAVE DARFUR