War on terror

Immediately following and in response to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack, the United States government announced its intentions to begin a "War on Terrorism" (or "War on Terror"), a protracted struggle against terrorists and states that aid terrorists. Many governments have pledged their support for the international initiative. The US has received military help from the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Japan, Pakistan, and France, among others. The "War on Terrorism" quickly became the dominant framework in which international relations were analyzed, supplanting the old Cold War and in some cases the War on Drugs. Many pre-existing disputes were re-cast in terms of the War on Terrorism, including Plan Colombia and the Colombian civil war; the United States' diplomatic and military disputes with Iraq, Iran, and North Korea; the war between Russia and Chechnya; and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Other, new conflicts, like the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, were created within the framework. Although many countries are involved, the war is overwhelmingly viewed as an American initiative - or even George Bush's personal war. There was a previous War on Terrorism declared during the 1980s, by US President Ronald Reagan, though that one never gained as widespread support or traction as the later one.

Many groups and individuals from across the globe oppose the "War on Terrorism" in increasingly large numbers.

Military/Diplomatic Campaigns

Overall Strategy

The United States has based its counter-terrorist strategy on several steps:

Denial of safe havens in which terrorists can train and equip members
Restriction of funding of terrorist organizations
Degradation of terrorist networks by capturing and/or killing intermediate leaders
Detention of suspected and known terrorists. See the section below for further details
Obtaining information, through various techniques, allegedly including torture, from captured terrorists of other members of their organization, training sites, methods, and funding
Expanding and improving efficiancy of intelligence capabilities and foreign and domestic policing

In doing so, the strategy is not very different from successful counter-guerrilla operations, such as Malaysia in the 1950s. There is a fine distinction between guerrilla operations and terrorist operations. Many guerrilla organizations, such as the Zionist terrorist group known as the Irgun in British-Mandated Palestine, and the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) during the Algerian Civil War, and the Viet Cong, included urban terrorism as part of their overall strategy.

Denial of safe havens involves a fairly large military force; however, as in Afghanistan in 2002, once the major safe haven areas are overrun, the large-scale forces can be withdrawn and special forces, such as US Special Operations Forces or the British Special Air Service (SAS), operate more effectively.

In addition, the U.S. Army is involved in increasingly large civil affairs programs in Afghanistan to provide employment for Afghans and to reduce the pro-terrorist sympathies of the civilian population.

The U.S. strategy faces several obstacles:

Terrorist groups can continue to operate, albeit at a less-sophisticated scale
The strenghs of American intelligence gathering are signal intelligence and photo intelligence gathering. Organizations that avoid use of cellular phones and radios and rely on couriers have a lower profile. On the other hand, such organizations also have a slower planning and reaction time.
Political opposition to American policies inside countries in which terrorists operate, as in Pakistan, where al Queda and the Taliban have supporters who share religious or ethnic affiliations.
Legal opposition to American methods of detaining suspected terrorists.

Torture?

Critics of the, War on Terror, complain that the government is conducting torture, both directly and by shipping suspects to nations, such as Egypt, where they are alleged to be tortured with the assent and even encouragement of the United States.

The US government denies such allegations.

Afghanistan

Main article: U.S. invasion of Afghanistan

The first target was Afghanistan and the Al-Qaida terrorist organisation based therein. The US demanded that the Taliban government extradite Saudi exile and Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden with no preconditions. The Taliban responded first by asking to see proof that bin Laden was behind the attacks. When the United States refused and instead threatened the Taliban with military action, the Taliban offered to extradite bin Laden to Pakistan, where he could be tried under Islamic law. This offer too was refused. The United States and other western nations then led an attack along with local Afghan anti-Taliban forces, including several local warlords and the Northern Alliance. Many of the Afghani groups had held power before the Taliban came to power, and ruled with human rights records similar to the Taliban. This effort succeeded in removing the Taliban from power. To date, Osama bin Laden has not been arrested or killed. His words have reportedly come to light from time to time, often via Arabic media outlets, and usually in support of anti-western atrocities, such as the bombing in Bali.

The Naming of the "Axis of Evil"

Main Article Axis of Evil

George W. Bush named Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as the "Axis of Evil". In US political rhetoric these are called "rogue states" who do not respect international law and often have programs to develop weapons of mass destruction. The use of the word "axis" was more rhetorical than literal; no assertions have been made that Iran, Iraq, or North Korea are in any way politically allied. The statement has become a lightning rod for opposition to the War on Terrorism and to George Bush in particular. (For more on opposition, see below.)

Iraq

Main article: U.S. plan to invade Iraq

The United States and Iraq have been involved in military and diplomatic disputes since the Gulf War in 1990-91, continuing through the remainder of George Bush, Sr.'s presidency, Bill Clinton's presidency and the beginning of George W. Bush's presidency. On September 4, 2002, George W. Bush announced the Bush Doctrine that the United States had the right to launch a preemptive military strike at any nation that could put weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists. He sought and obtained congressional approval for a strike against Iraq.

Intensive negotiations began with other members of the United Nations Security Council, especially the three permanent members of the Council with veto power, Russia, China, and France, which are known to have reservations about an invasion of Iraq. On November 8, 2002, The UN Security Council unanimously passed a new resolution. The resolution calls for Iraq to disarm or face tough consequences. On November 18, UN weapons inspectors returned to Iraq for the first time in four years. In early December, 2002, Iraq filed a 12,000-page weapons declaration with the UN. After reviewing the document, the U.S., Britain, France and other countries felt that the declaration failed to account for all of Iraq's chemical and biological agents.

Although this is seen by the US government's administration as part of the War on Terrorism, some United States congressman, especially members of the Democratic Party, have counterposed the War on Iraq with the War on Terrorism, suggesting that the former would draw the focus from the latter. Newsweek conducted a poll after the 2002 elections and found that a majority claimed that this played a large part in the Republican's historic victory during the elections.

Despite attempts by the US administration, certain Republican politicians and the government of Israel to prove one, some critics claim that there is no demonstrable link between the Iraqi government and any terrorist group. Israel has claimed that it is in posession of documents linking Saddam to terrorist groups in the region. In 2002, hundreds of documents were turned over to the news media and the US government that detail Iraq's support of Suicide Bombers, but some remain skeptical. Israel has also claimed that a terrorist cell that was captured in September of 2002, not only had links to Iraq, but actually received training there. Indeed, to the fundamentalist brand of Islam that al-Qaida propagates, the secular government of Iraq is clearly anathema. Around the world, the threats to Iraq from the US and Britain have led to a rise in scepticism over the motives for invasion and the "war" in general.

North Korea

Main article: George W. Bush administration policy toward North Korea

In October 2002 North Korea announced that it was running a nuclear weapon development program, in violation of treaties, and said they would be willing to negotiate a new position with the United States. The response from the United States government has been muted; they have stated that North Korea is not as great a danger as Iraq, and do not seem to be willing to pursue the interventionist policy they are advocating for in Iraq.

Iran

Apart from mentioning the nation as part of the "axis of evil", the Bush administration has not said much about dealing with Iran. However, there has been speculation about the administrations plans, and Iran is seen by some as 'next on the list' -- both because of its "axis of evil" status and its geopolitical relationship with Iraq.

Pankisi Gorge (Georgia)

Main article: War on Terrorism/Pankisi Gorge

In February 2002, the U.S. sent approximately two hundred Special Operations Forces troops to the former Soviet republic of Georgia to train Georgian troops to fight rebels from the breakaway Russian province Chechnya, crossing the border for safe haven in their war with Russia. This move drew protests from many Russians, who believed that Georgia should remain within the Russian sphere of influence, and not the United States'. On March 1, 2002, over domestic outcry, Russian president Vladimir Putin met with Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze in Kazakhstan and pledged his support for the American military initiative.

Yemen

Main article: War on Terrorism/Yemen

The Bush Administration approved sending about 100 Special Operations forces to Yemen, a power base for Al-Qaida. The Special Operations forces, along with the CIA, are engaged in targetted attacks on suspected Al-Qaida members, especially in the regions of Yemen bordering Saudi Arabia, which are not well-controlled by the central Yemeni authorities.

Philippines

Main article: War on Terrorism/Philippines

In January 2002, a force approximately 1,000 strong was sent to assist Philippine forces. About 600 troops, including 160 Special Operations forces, remain training forces in the Philippines to combat Abu Sayyaf on Basilan. On October 2, 2002, a bomb in Zamboanga killed a U.S. Army Special Forces master sergeant and two civilians. In October 2002 additional Zamboanga bombings killed six and wounded 200.

Indonesia

Main Article: War on Terrorism/Indonesia

Near the end of 2001, Congress relaxed restrictions put into place in 1999 against the U.S. training of Indonesian forces because of human rights abuses in East Timor. In October 2002 the Bali car bombing killed and wounded hundreds of foreign tourists.

Detentions at Guantanamo, Cuba

See Camp X-ray for further details.

U.S. Domestic

Investigations are going on through many branches of many governments, pursuing tens of thousands of tips. Hundreds of people have being detained, arrested, and/or questioned so far. Many of those targeted by the Bush administration have been secretly detained, and have been access to an attorney. Among those secretly detained are U.S. citizens. The Justice Department wishes to interview 5000 young men from the Middle East. See September_11,_2001_Terrorist_Attack/Detentions.

The Bush administration launched an unprecedented and sweeping initiative in early 2002 with the creation of the Information Awareness Office, designed to collect, index, and consolidate all available information on everyone in a central repository for perusal by the United States government. The office is headed by John Poindexter, who was National Security Advisor under Ronald Reagan and a key figure in the Iran-Contra Affair.

U.S. Citizens Overseas

President Bush has granted the CIA the authority to assassinate U.S. citizens anywhere in the world, if the CIA thinks that they are working for Al Qaida. The individuals in question need not be tried or convicted in any American court of law in order for them to be targeted for assassination.

US Legislation

$40 billion emergency bill was quickly passed. A ~$20 billion bill to bail out the airline industry also passed. Laws are also being passed that would curtail civil liberties in the United States, to make it easier for the government to spy on what's happening within the country. USA PATRIOT Act passed.

Executive Branch

As part of the War on Terrorism, there was a reorganization of various government bureacracies which handled security and military functions. The Office of Homeland Security was created to coordinate "homeland security" efforts. There was a proposal to create an Office of Strategic Influence for the purpose of coordinating propaganda efforts, but it was cancelled due to negative reactions. For the first time ever, the Bush administration implemented the Continuity of Operations Plan (or Continuity of Government) to create a shadow government to ensure the executive branch of the U.S. government would be able to continue in catastrophic circumstances.

Opposition to the "War on Terrorism"

Initial opposition to the War on Terrorism was limited in the United States and Europe. On September 14, when the United States House of Representatives voted on a bill authorizing the President of the United States to use force in the War on Terrorism, there was only one dissenting vote--Representative Barbara Lee of California. Much of the opposition that existed came from the long-standing peace movement as well as the anti- or alternative globalization movement (e.g. the Independent Media Center broadened its focus from globalization and corporations to militarization). The leadership of the German Green Party, known for its pacifist principles, supported the attack, but condemned the use of cluster bombs. This support led to an internal division within the party and a confidence vote called by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, in which he retained the support of enough Greens to stay on. Those Greens who voted against the government were later punished by being removed from the party list in the 2002 elections. Similar internal divisions arose in the United States political left, with some prominent opponents of the Vietnam War, like Christopher Hitchens, supporting the War on Terrorism.

Over time, opposition to the War has grown across the US and Europe and began to take form in mass protests. There have been street protests against the War on Terrorism in general or war on Iraq in specific in many major cities in the U.S. and other nations, many of them the largest anti-war protests since the Vietnam War. On the 28th of September 2002, 450,000 people rallied against the War on the streets of London, representing diverse political, religious and other groups. This was at a time when public feeling in Britain against a war was running high, with a clear majority in the polls. On the 26th of October 2002, protestors joined on the all in Washington D.C., the area adjacent to the highest offices of government. While the Park Services no longer makes estimates regarding the size of protests on the Mall, the Washington Post estimated about 100,000 people attended, quoting police and park officials as saying that this anti-war protest may have been the largest since the Vietnam War. In contrast to other recent protests, in which protestors reported being violently attacked by police or security forces, protestors in this action were evidently permitted to speak and assemble more freely. On the same day protest rallies also took place in Mexico, Japan, Spain, Germany, South Korea, Belgium and Australia.

Critics of the "War on terror" argue that a particular tactic of war (terrorism, the targeting of non-combatants with the aim of spreading fear and disorder) can never be eliminated by force alone, and will in fact lead to more terror. Military action against terrorists inevitably results in the deaths of non-combatants ("collateral damage" in military jargon), which is another form of terror against innocents. The atmosphere of fear and hate towards the military powers in question then generated can be easily exploited by extremist elites (with their own agendas) who can direct such rage and despair towards desperate and murderous acts. Thus, critics argue, the "War" against terror simpy perpetuates circles of violence. The real reason then, for the US-led campaign, it is argued, is to expand their economic and military dominance of the world.

Many opponents of the war focus on the domestic aspects, complaining that the government is systematically removing civil liberties from the population or engaging in racial profiling.

Other criticicisms of domestic policy are focused on the individuals given leadership roles in War on Terrorism-related posts. In November 2002, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was appointed as the chairman of the independent panel investigating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America. His appointment led to widespread criticism, mainly because he is wanted by France, Spain, Chile, and Argentina for questioning in connection with war crimes he allegedly had knowledge of and directed while serving as Secretary of State during the Nixon and Ford administrations. John Poindexter was appointed head of the Information Awareness Office (IAO). Poindexter's qualifications as head of the IAO have been widely questioned on grounds of personal integrity, as he was convicted on five felony counts of lying to Congress and destroying and altering evidence related to the Iran-Contra Affair.