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UNITED NATIONS — Shortly after the chilling and heinous attack against America by the hydra-headed monster of international terror, the UN Security Council acting with surprising speed, passed a resolution not only condemning the attacks but calling those who aid, support, or harbor those responsible to" be held accountable." It must be said that the UN has long opposed Afghanistan's Taliban regime through economic sanctions and has called for the handover of prime suspect Osama Bin Laden.
Yet while Afghanistan's ruling Taliban thugocracy continues to harbor the Bin Laden Al Qaeda terrorist network, be advised that many actual players in the macabre game are mostly Arabs — Bin Laden himself is a rogue Saudi. Afghanistan which has been devastated by the Soviet invasion, followed by civil war, and now rule by Taliban's mad mullahs, remains a beckoning quicksand for any foreign force. Afghanistan's tribal and ethnic rivalries can be exploited by the U.S. to oust Taliban.
But as John Simpson writes in Britain's Daily Telegraph, "The key to neutralizing Bin Laden is to neutralize the Tailban first. They are not as the West assumes, part of the same terrorist conspiracy. The relationship is that of troublesome guest and embarassed hosts.' Simpson adds, "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is one of several geographical black holes on the modern map, virtual states where anything can happen."
The complex ethnic quilt of warlords, tribal chieftains, and well funded foreign terrorist mercenaries has turned Afghanistan into a heart of darkness. Earlier this year the Taliban thugs gleefully dynamited ancient Buddhist statues while the world looked on in horror. This benighted regime has been a curse on Afghanistan much as the Islamic radicals have been to Iran.
Yet only the naieve would assume Bin Laden is not the tip of a vast network or as Sen Zell Miller (D-GA) and former — Marine called them a "vipers nest" The web extends from the Middle East, to Europe, and inside the USA.
The Bush Administration fully understands the depth of the challenge and that's why we've not shot from the hip with ritualistic cruise missiles attacks into the desolate Afghan hills for the "feel good factor." Be certain Vice President Richard Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld have a far bigger counterstrike planned for the practitioners of terror and the mendatious regimes harboring them.
But Winning takes a coalition. The Gulf War coalition brilliantly assembled by Secretary of State James Baker and Pres. George Bush in 1990 fully understood the subtleties and complexities of the Arab world. While the U.S., Britain, and France bore the military brunt, the Coalition's "Group Photo" saw many Arab states opposing Saddam. Iraq could not play the `West against the Arab Brother" game.
While NATO has pledged its support for the USA in this counter terrorist battle, countries such as Britain (who genuinely understands Afghanistan and Pakistan), France (sadly with too much experience with Islamic fundmentatlisrm), Germany (like the USA a haven for many extremists living as illegal), and Turkey (true and solid with front-line military facilities) come into play. Subtle diplomacy not boastful bravado is the way to prepare the counterstroke.
Dr. Henry Kissinger advised wisely, "America and its allies must take care not to present this new policy as a clash of civilizations between the West and Islam — the battle is against a radical minority." In the aftermath of the attacks, President George W. Bush showed his sensitivity in visiting a Mosque in Washington and stressing that Islam is not the enemy, but fundamentalist Islam. In essence we must convince our allies that we are fighting fanactics who happen to be Mulsim. Moderate Arab states such as Egypt and Jordan have had their share of experience with Islamic terror.
The military phase must be twofold. First the massive fireworks, preferably on target-rich Baghdad to demonstrate that we have the global reach, power, and devastating capability. This will give the American people the network TV morale booster needed after the terrible tragedies in New York and Washington.
Second avoid massive conventional deployments — a Gulf War style military buildup and then offense may be the last thing necessary — and anyway the U.S. military has been severely reduced in capacity since the early 1990's. This is a war of the Army Rangers, Special Forces teams, and Navy Seals which can produce some searing surgical strikes on short order in the enemy backyard while keeping civilian causalities to a minimum. The British have the SAS and Gurkas — tough and on a par with Afghan mountain fighters.
Third; the James Bonds of the world (they do exist) must be given the covert mission to track down and take out the terror kingpins, patiently, quietly, and with chilling precision. Rightful retribution, not revenge, must be the modus operndi.
In his call to arms of brilliant clarity, President George W. Bush has outlined the struggle; "freedom and fear are at war." He added, "Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or justice to our enemies, justice will be done." An epic battle of global proportions has begun.
John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.
