Guardian UK: The US is Stuck in a September 12 mindset

[marmar]

Stuck in a September 12 mindset
To combat terrorism effectively, the US must move beyond the politics of fear that have driven its foreign policy since 9/11

Suzanne Spaulding
guardian.co.uk, Thursday September 11 2008 12:30 BST




As we observe the seventh anniversary of the attacks of 9/11, we again hear politicians hurl the familiar "soft-on-terror" charge of having a "September 10 mindset". In truth, no American who experienced the horror of September 11, 2001 will ever again know the luxury of a September 10 mindset. The greater concern is being stuck in a September 12 mindset, unable or unwilling to understand the lessons we've learned since those terrible early days. This is the mindset that undermines America's long-term security.

On September 12, 2001, we lived with a deep sense of fragility as we waited in fear for the next attack. Over the subsequent days and years, however, Americans returned to their daily lives, just as the people of London went back down into the subways after their own attacks. We learned that resiliency is an essential and powerful weapon against terrorism. It means knowing that there may be another attack, but refusing to live in, or make decisions based upon, fear. When politicians and policymakers fall back on that September 12 mindset of fear to convey their message and promote their policies, they undermine that essential public resiliency.

In those early days following 9/11, President Bush spoke of our response as a "crusade". He tried later to remove the religious connotation but subsequently developed the "global war on terrorism". We now know that both of these terms empower Osama bin Laden, uniting disparate terrorist groups into a global cause and dividing the US from its allies who believe the costs of approaching this long-term challenge as a global war outweigh any benefits from the use of the term.

Yet, some in Washington still use the language of a holy war, ignoring the advice of counterterrorism experts at CIA and the department of homeland security to stop calling terrorists "jihadists". Giving terrorists their long-desired but unmerited status as global "holy warriors" reflects a failure to heed the lessons learned in the years since September 12, 2001 – and it strengthens our enemy.

On September 12, we thought we could defeat terrorism by going to war. Today, most of us understand that we are engaged in a battle for hearts and minds, competing against the terrorists' narrative of a glorious "global jihad" that attracts idealistic young people looking for answers. The image of America ensuring that even suspected terrorists get their day in court is a powerful antidote to the twisted allure of terrorism. Continuing to work toward the ideal of the shining city on the hill, contrary to the fears of some, is how this country will ultimately prevail against the terrorists. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/11/september11.usforeignpolicy