Negative?

This is coolbert:

We normally hear on the U.S. media only the negative about the U.S. effort against the jihadi world wide. How the global war on Terror [GWOT] IS not going favorably for U.S. interests.

We also hear, frequently, that although the Al Qaeda enemy has been hit, and hit hard on occasion, they are still out there, active, elusive, and has become a thinking, adapting enemy. Perhaps more able and dangerous than they were before 9/11.

Here is an excerpt from a web site that outlines the goals of Al Qaeda, as enunciated by same in 1998. Then goes on to elaborate HOW SUCCESSFUL THE AL QAEDA JIHADI HAS BEEN. HOW WELL ARE THEY DOING!!?? [not normally something the media would dwell upon]

"Consider Al Qaeda, the dawn of the 21st centuryÂ’s favorite boogeyman. What were their strategic goals in attacking America?

Al Qaeda announced theirs in a 1998 declaration of Jihad. As summarized by Michael Scheuer, they were:

-The end of U.S. aid to Israel and the ultimate elimination of that state;
-The removal of U.S. and Western forces from the Arabian peninsula;
-The removal of U.S. and Western military forces from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Muslim lands;
-The end of U.S. support for the oppression of Muslims by Russia, China, and India;
-The end of U.S. protection for repressive, apostate Muslim regimes in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, et cetera;
-The conservation of the Muslim world's energy resource and their sale at higher prices.

[the ultimate goal for the jihadi of course is the conversion of the entire world to Islam, and the adoption of the Wahabbi mode of Islam at that. The type of Islam as practiced in Saudi Arabia!!]

How is it going for the Jihadists?

The reality:

* Israel is stronger than ever and U.S. support could hardly be stronger. The 9/11 attacks, if anything, solidified U.S.-Israeli relations, since it brought home the everyday far of terrorist attacks Israelis endure on a daily basis.

* Western forces have indeed left Saudi Arabia, only to be mobilized and reinforced in Arab lands.

[U.S. forces have left Saudi proper. This one really burns me. The U.S. troops in Saudi had to behave in the most obsequious manner possible. So as to NOT offend the Saudi public in some manner. We did as the Saudi desired, even adopting behavior that we would normally NOT countenance [lady troops could only go off base wearing a chador, the full robe and headress, and then could never drive a vehicle!!] in any other circumstance!!]

"ob·se·qui·ous - - adj. Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning. - - attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner"

* Western forces are deeply entrenched in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Muslim lands and have toppled the first two regimes and strongly influenced the direction of others, notably Pakistan.

* The U.S. still does not support oppression of Muslims in Russia, China, or India but is certainly less sympathetic to the Chechnyan cause than before 9/11.

* The U.S. has drawn closer to the governments in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Jordan, although it is pushing for serious democratization.

[I have a perception that cooperation with these regimes is much more extensive than we would expect. Those governments do NOT want to see jihadi thugs take control any more than we do.]

* Oil prices have gone up rather dramatically, although owing more to economic growth in China and India than events in the Middle East.

[conservation is not occurring, but prices are up. The Arabs and other members of OPEC are getting a lot of money for their oil.]

So, the goals of this terror gang was steps that would clear the way for the Caliphate, a new world order to arise- and what happened? Now the foreign policy of the world's hyperpower is laser-beam focused on preventing that from coming to fruition. So if I was the AQ commander- what would I do to get my caliphate established post-haste?

* Realize that Iraq isn't working. These AQ types are stuck in the 80's- thinking they can drive out a superpower by themselves. Let me clarify something- the mujahedeen DID NOT beat the Ruskies in Afghanistan. We did, through the CIA, which provided STINGER missiles, and most importantly, training and organization to fight the Russians off.

[this is an example of fighting a war by using the methods as used in the last war, and assuming the old methods will suffice for the new.]

[and one must not forget that the Soviet Union was a collapsing entity at the time too. They did not have staying power and wanted to get out as soon as possible. Afghanistan was a huge detriment to them. Trying to install and maintain a communist government in Afghan was ridiculous, as even at the same time, communism was collapsing in the Soviet Union!!]

Our emphasis on Special Forces, non-conventional warfare, and high tech equipment absolutely decimate the hajis each time they try an attack above the squad level. Thus IEDs and suicide bombings are the only effective tactics they have left."

[suicide is a tactic of the powerless. Demonstrates that conventional tactics, even guerilla warfare, is not succeeding. Terror by suicide is all that is left. The tactic of the weak!!]

Good points. Very good points.

coolbert.