As the world heard the news of what happened in Brussels, Belgium, people were once again overwhelmed with feelings of horror, sadness and anger. There is no question that most people are in agreement is that the death and destruction is an increasing reality that needs to be stopped. Where the big problem starts, or should I say continues, is in the series of solutions proposed by the experts and politicians. It seems everyone has an answer and solution. However, in reality no one really knows exactly what to do. That in itself may be the crux of why we are losing this war against terror. To sum it up in one word, the biggest obstacle to preventing a global catastrophe is something ISIS and other terror organizations are not only counting on but causing. That word is confusion.
Liberal or Conservative, Democrat or Republican, Hawk or Dove, most if not all politicians in the civilized world want the terror to stop. Yet the philosophies and approaches differ tremendously. Everyone thinks their solution is the correct one. Certainly most give the impression that they do. But does anyone really have the answer? Do we need to consider the possibility that in some ways it is just too late to stop this tidal wave of terror engulfing the world. Some say Europe is already lost. The events of the past few days certainly lends credence to that argument. Some in America, traditionally those on the left, believe a softer, kinder, less involved approach is the answer. We don’t know for sure that this approach is the incorrect one, but should it fail, and considering the enemy we are facing a very strong argument could be made that it would, are we willing to accept the bleak future that would follow and be prepared to fight for our way of life and ultimately our lives? Do we plan a strategy that does nothing other than postpone the inevitable or do we swallow the bitterest of pills and viciously and totally wipe out the enemy without concern for collateral damage?
The multitude of questions with even more answers is the most powerful weapon in the arsenal of the growing number of terrorist organizations across the world. Earlier this week on CNN I listened to Michael Weiss, author of ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, as he explained how the terror organization’s specialty is not so much actual combat as it is manipulation and use of social media and its overall strategy in cleverly choosing what targets to hit and how to achieve the greatest bang for their buck. It would be my personal assertion that other than totally destroying their command centers, nothing would damage ISIS more than a concerted and coordinated worldwide effort against them. Kind of makes you think the best leaders can’t only be the strongest, but must be the wisest as well.
In order to defeat terror, we much first recognize where it exists. This sounds like it should be easy, but in reality it’s not only become the most difficult thing for the world to agree upon, it is turning into the foundation of the growing crisis. With the United Nations taking sides against Israel in their fight against terrorists from all sides, American and European leaders willing to accept a deal with Iran, a nation that cultivates and exports terrorism, and a tolerance of hate worldwide, the chances of defeating this growing cancer are diminishing. It’s not impossible, but without a unified army, be it a military or diplomatic one, we are destined to lose. If ever the American public had the fate of the world in its hands it would be right now, for the next President of the United States may turn out to be one of, if not the most important person in solving this growing global crisis.
So assuming my assertion that everyone wants it to stop is accurate, the question remains, what do we do to actually achieve this Utopian goal. It would be nice if for starters a zero tolerance for murder was recognized globally. There will be instances when even the people we see as enemies may be able to claim self-defense, but why is it so difficult for people to agree that stabbings, mowing people down with cars, blowing up airplanes, setting off bombs in subways and airports are all examples of unquestionable murder. Why did it take the world till just recently to say that ISIS was guilty of genocide when they have clearly been killing Christians indiscriminately for years. If we are to defeat terror, it must start with a total agreement from every party involved in the fight that murder is unacceptable, period. If Arab nations are not willing to recognize that Palestinians that stab Israelis are terrorists, than these nations will not be welcomed into the coalition. Murder is murder. If terrorists blow up cars in Baghdad killing dozens or blow up a Russian plane killing hundreds, or burn people alive in Nigeria, why is it more acceptable than a bomb in a European airport or subway? I understand the poignancy and psychological impact of the Brussels and Paris attacks, but until murder is seen as murder, and the outcry and disgust is just as great when it happens in less chic places, nothing will truly be fixed.
So as a writer, and a person who would love to make a difference, I propose this challenge to the United Nations. If ever there was a time to step up and truly matter in the world, if ever there was an opportunity to put all the corruption and inadequacies of this failing organization in the rear mirror, the time is now. Let us learn from history. A precursor to the beginning of World War II was the collapse of an inept League of Nations. In an era in which a different form of fascism is once again on the rise, the United Nations has an opportunity to wipe away its years of ineptitude on the world stage by truly uniting nations against evil. But to do this they need to do a few things first. Keep money from terror groups, even if it means temporarily holding back funds from people who may need it, make resolutions that clearly define and condemn any murder associated with terror groups or political extremism, and stop the biased attacks against Israel. If the United Nations does this, they might actually stay in tact, make a difference, and help the world in the way in which they were originally designed to do. If not, they will likely fall apart, dissolve, and if history is to tragically repeat itself, be the lead into a full blown World War III.
If this all seems kind of grim it’s because the realities we face are extremely harsh. There is no longer room for misplaced tolerance. The world needs to find a way to unite against evil and do so very quickly, otherwise all we will do is continue in a downward spiral towards death and destruction. There is no more room for the kill them with kindness approach. We are dealing with people who will merely laugh at us before they destroy us, and that means that as citizens we need to hold our leaders accountable and do so now.
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