US kills two top leaders of terror group that attacked Kenya mall

[Kelvin Mace]

242. Terrorism worked for the IRA

Years and years of bombing campaigns finally forced the UK to recognize Sinn Feinn and sit down and negotiate with IRA supporters and agree to deals they had always refused to agree to. Yes, there are the odd splinter group still out there (a bomb was found at Stormont in the last few days), but the terror campaigns have died down to almost nothing.

Terrorism worked for the Basque (ETA). After 40 years of bombings, kidnappings, etc, the Spanish government finally sat down a negotiated seriously and addressed their grievances in 2006. In 2011 a permanent cease fire was declared.

Terrorism worked for the ANC (via its military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe). When the government finally released Nelson Mandela and began to negotiate in good faith, the terrorism dropped dramatically.

Terrorism arguably worked for the PLO, because the they final led to the Olso Accords and recognition by Israel. Unfortunately, a new group rose up to replace the PLO when Israel continued to allow settlers to build in disputed lands.

I will modify my remarks about solutions to terror groups, which was that they can be defeated using only four tactics (previously three):

1) Sit down and negotiate with them and redress their grievances.
2) Withdraw from the conflict, which is just a constant source of fuel to the conflict.
3) Commit genocide. Kill every supporter of the terrorist group you come across.

I now add the 4th option that works: Arrest and try terrorists in court for their criminal offenses, granting them due process and legal representation. Trials must be seen as fair by the world at large, and not kangaroo courts (see UK prosecution of IRA members).

The last option assumes a functional government or government-like group with some credibility and willingness to follow due process, such as the UN and The Hague.

The U.S. criminal courts have VERY impressive track record for locking up terrorists after they are arrested and tried.