The War On Terror Explained

The On Point Public Radio program examines the "war on terror".

Topics:

--Bush Administration changes the CIA detention policies

--An examination of the war on terror.




Fast Forward to the Second half of the audio program to hear an excellent analysis of what is really going on with the "War On Terror" from Mr. Ian Lustick, professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania. He gives one of the best explanations yet of the mistakes and fundamental flaws of the governments current "War On Terror". Lustick echoes what I have been saying for the last few years about the so called "War On Terror". He gives a clear explanation for why the "War On Terror" has not & will not work.

I also believe that the Bush administration attempt to connect the war on terror with the need for the U.S. to stay in Iraq will only hurt the Bush administration. Because they have put all their eggs in one basket... Iraq (and The Wrong basket!). By linking everything to Iraq (which was not really part of the War against Al Qaeda and extremism before 9/11) Bush is risking everything. If the Iraq adventure fails, so does the War on Terror and all of the Bush policies. The Bush policies of using military power as a primary tool against terrorism is not working and in fact plays right into the hands of the extremists, feeding their causes. Furthermore, the limits of U.S. military power have been exposed by the current approach.

The recent arrests in Great Britain- how was that accomplished? Through intelligence, diplomatic cooperation between countries, and through good law enforcement, OR through the dropping of bombs? The answer is clear.

This is also another indication that the U.S. government is not (and had no intentions of) leaving Iraq. By putting the entire Bush legacy, and the reputation of the U.S. into Iraq, the government was practically guaranteeing that the U.S. would be in Iraq indefinitely. U.S. politicians would not make such bold statements about Iraq without the intention of pouring billions more of our money into that country and committing troops there for the long term (i'm talking 10-20 years at least). U.S. leaders have known this fact all along and have been playing with the minds and fears of the American people by even suggesting that troops would be coming home.

The Bush administration, and many members of Congress have known that this idea of troop withdrawal was a lie all along.

I wonder when will the American people finally catch on?

Listen to program here. Click Audio links at top.

The second half of the program is especially interesting. As mentioned above, listen to the Comments from Ian Lustick. He hits the nail right on the head.

He is the author of the new book, "Trapped in the War On Terror".

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Watch an additional Interview with Professor Ian Lustick. Click on the Webcast.

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Listen to another report from NPR, which echoes the comments from Lustick.

Just How Far Has the U.S. Come Since 9/11 and The Start of The "War On Terror"?

Summary:

Five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, two keen analysts of U.S. foreign policy offer their observations on the Bush administration's war on terrorism. Former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brezezinski and international scholar Fouad Ajami speak with Debbie Elliott.

Listen here