Current Approaches to Peace and War Designing the World We Want Shifting the Planetary Conversation
Military Force Does Not Work to End Terrorism
- August 15th, 2008Understaffed, Under-funded Diplomatic Corps
Nicholas Kristof’s column in ( 8/10/08) New York Times, “Make Diplomacy, Not War” was an interesting piece of journalism, both for what it said and for what it didn’t say. Kristof makes the case that the American Foreign Service is woefully under-staffed and under-funded. The US has more musicians in its military bands than it has diplomats. Something is seriously out of whack, he suggests, especially when it comes to fighting terrorism.
Firepower Isn’t Effective Against Terrorists
The US is still doing the same thing it’s been doing since 9/11. It has continued a habitual pattern of using firepower against terrorists. We still haven’t learned that this approach is ineffective. Insanity, a popular saying goes, is doing the same thing over again, each time hoping for a different result.
A few voices in the government see that the current military emphasis is not working. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is one of the most vocal of these voices. In recent speeches he has been calling for more resources for the State Department and aid agencies.
More Terrorists Pop Up Like Mushrooms
Why isn’t military power effective against terrorists? People who become terrorists are angry and upset about something. They feel blocked in their efforts to have a better life. Or they feel humiliated. We won’t know until we make a concerted effort to get to know them . Terrorists live a life of secrecy on the run, in little cells. As soon as key members are killed, new recruits pop up to take their place. There are legions of frustrated, angry young people out there who are eager to sign up.
Until the root causes are ameliorated terrorism will continue. Please see my previous blog on Upstream Solutions for thoughts on peacemaking from this perspective. Terrorism is a human problem; ultimately it cannot be solved by violence. Killing only adds to the humiliation and yearning for revenge which terrorism feeds on.
Focus on Empowerment and Upstream Solutions
If you really wanted to end terrorism you would focus on empowerment strategies. You would discover what terrorists are really upset about and put opportunities in place for young people to do work where they can make a decent living and contribute to the growth of their people and their nation. It’s intriguing to me that the conflict in Northern Ireland ended as economic growth, via technology, came to the Irish nation. Benazir Bhutto, in her wonderful book Reconcilation, which I reviewed last week, suggests many upstream solutions and empowerment approaches from a Muslim perspective.
Americans Are Stuck in a 5000 Year Old Conversation About Military Power
Another key question is why Americans are so stuck on military solutions. We are, in fact, addicted to something, but it’s not war and killing. We are addicted to a 5000 year old conversation and that conversation is running the show on this planet. This is the discourse about armed violence and the impossibility of peace ever occurring. As fish swim in water and never question it, humans have inherited this “old conversation”, which says things like: “You can’t be weak. If an aggressor strikes you, you have to be strong and hit back.” We learn this stuff as little kids. These values are embedded in television and movies; they reinforce violence and revenge constantly.
Time to Get Conscious About Our Unconscious Conversation
The problem with this discourse is that it’s unconscious-and it runs us! Isn’t it time to take it out and thoughtfully examine these beliefs and assumptions to see if we want to keep them? Kristof suggests that they are not workable in combating the War on Terror. Are we willing to keep throwing money at something that isn’t working? For me, the cost is far too high. What about you?
August 17th, 2008 at 8:32 am
To date the US has spent nearly $569 billion dollars to fun the war in Iraq - that’s not the full budget for defense, just the war in Iraq.
It is useful to think about the systemic causes of the terrorism, because the Iraq war has always been a war about energy, not terrorism. Our dependence on oil is bad for the economy, bad for the environment and good for terrorism. How so?
Terrorism is born from desperation, not evil. The seeds of evil sprout when the human hope for love and connection die.
Terrorists have preyed on the poorest of the poor to bring their misguided dreams to life. They draw their followers from poor societies who lack education that support critical thinking and access to programs that support mental and physical well-being.
What would the world be like now if we had spent the last 8 years and $500 billion dollars on alternative energy, education, and supporting physical and psychological well-being?
We would have new industries providing new jobs, smarter and healthier people. We would have alternatives to terrorism that works better than killing our way to peace?
August 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Lucy;
Wow! That’s powerful! “Terrorism is born from desperation, not evil. The seeds of evil sprout when the human hope for love and connection die.” Would love to hear from other readers on this point.
Joy