The Global War

The Global Terrorism Analysis from the Jamestown Foundation recently published an alarming report discussing an increasing series of similarities between the insurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq, which in essence demonstrates the insurgents in Afghanistan are learning from the mistakes and success of those in Iraq. The similarities in attacks are clearly demonstrating this fact and causing concern from those involved within the anti-terrorism society.

It is disturbing news to the intelligence community and instills new fears within the expanding war on terrorism that the Taliban and al Qaeda are not only learning from their mistakes, but also sharing information among the terrorist community. This has overtones of a dedicated intelligence section that would be operating in support of a functioning military instead of individual terrorists hitting where they wish.

Now we have bin Laden releasing one of his “Let the world know I am alive” videos in which he is attempting to turn the war on terrorism into a crusade which unites the Muslim community against a common foe, the United States and England.

The war on terrorism is a war of attrition with al Qaeda and in all actuality; this is the only form of warfare that has a possibility of succeeding, as they do not have uniforms or flags to distinguish them from others. Historically this type of warfare is not supported by many Americans, as it is a long drawn-out battle with casualties on our side as well as the other. Conventional warfare with the enemy clearly distinguished and firmly entrenched in the areas they have taken over from a previous government or within their own country can be a faster victory, but also costlier in the form of our casualties.

We are engaged in a battle with an enemy that has no clear lines of country or marked borders, no defined government, no uniforms or flags marking them clearly as the enemy and the war will be long and hard fought until a form of victory is achieved. The fact of the terrorists now comparing notes and changing tactics to match one another’s successes will make the road a little tougher to travel. The real question is will the American people allow another protracted conflict such as we experienced in Viet Nam where there is no defined enemy. Time alone will be the decisive factor, that and the will to succeed by the rest of America.