The First Step Towards Defeating the Terrorists: Stop Blaming Ourselves

Uncertainty abounds in assessing the seriousness of any terrorist threat that has been thwarted. London Times Editor Gerard Baker criticizes those who would either accuse authorities of overreacting to the threat in an effort to boost poll numbers or those who would excuse attacks as a justified reaction to US and UK foreign policy. Indeed, actions by the US and its allies – from the invasion of Iraq to the relentless bombing of Lebanon by Israel – have infuriated the Muslim world. Those recent actions, a series of blunders and arrogance, have made the world less, not more stable, argues Baker. Yet no one can condone terrorism as a strategy. A new world order is evolving, and new threats can eliminate thousands, if not millions of people, at a time. The world must find some viable rapid response system to these threats, something better than invasions and suicide bombs. A first step is discovering and tackling the root causes of resentment and hatred that goad some young people to try terror. – YaleGlobal