The suicide bombing of the U.N. Peacekeeping forces in Beirut, Lebanon during October 1983 have since been heralded the first acts of terrorism. Granting Islamic Extremists the power to not only combat the sophisticated military technology of the United States and its allies on equal footing, but also as a symbol to all oppressed Middle-Eastern countries that they are fighting and dying honourably for their same god, Allah. How can we battle terrorism if in the eyes of the middle-eastern community that we as westerners are waging a war against their very culture and religious values that they live and die for?
Islam Extremist organisations such as Al Qaeda claim that they are fighting a holy war, or for Jihad, which Islamic scholars struggle to define upon. For some, Jihad is the defending of ones values and religious beliefs against any harm. While for others it is the responsibility of Muslims to protect their country against the evil western influences of the United States and its allies. Consequently, military attacks by the U.S. or its allies would serve no purpose in undermining these extremist organisations, but rather act as a trigger to further their goals of fighting for their people, and their religion.
Despite the capturing of high-profile extremist leaders such as Foday Sankoh of the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone or killing of key Al Qaeda leaders, terrorism has continued, with new leaders and martyrs replacing those who were captured or killed, and continuing the work of their predecessors. Evidently, for western powers to combat the threat of terrorism, they must not only tackle the roots of such organisations, but they should do so without military intervention. Military force authorised by U.S. have since only led countries such as Afghanistan into further turmoil, leaving scenes of carnage, and forcing civilians to flee their homes in fear of their lives. Today, the failed attempt by the U.S. in restoring peace in...