TERRORISM is not an American problem. It is a global problem that can only be resolved by global effort and by world leaders who have the capacity to understand that the war on terror cannot be won.

During the war (World War II), my father tells me, they knew the faces of their enemies. Today, we are at a great disadvantage—-we do not know the faces of our enemies.

Every act of terrorism is accompanied by the element of surprise—-it’s not just the timing of the attack that blindsides us, it’s the identity of our enemies. And even when intelligence succeeds and we are able to identify our enemies, apprehension, incarceration and execution still fails to stem the tide of terrorism because there is no dearth of zeal to avenge and replace slain soldiers hailed heroes.

How can you win against those who believe they are on a journey of honor? How can you win against those who fight for freedom for their people? How can you win against commitment to a cause greater than life itself? You cannot win a war against enemies whose lives are subservient to the passionate pursuit of ideals trampled.

The war on terror cannot be won by superior weaponry, sophisticated security systems and elite commando squads. The war on terror cannot be won by torture which only spawns greater rage across generations. The war on terror cannot be won by domination and degradation which only breeds more determined fighters. The war on terror cannot be won by greater repression which only creates greater cause for revenge and retribution.

If we want to end terrorism, we should examine its roots. Outrage does not, after all, grow overnight. Neither does terrorism. Those who sow terror are very angry people. Rage erupts in a moment but its seeds have been sown long before. The wound festers for a very long time before it becomes unbearable.

Terrorism is the last resort of those who have given up on peaceful means to an end. People take up arms because all other means have been exhausted to no avail. Terrorism is about unrealized hopes and dreams. It’s about failure and frustration. It’s about despondence and discontent.

Terrorism is a response to the indifference of the world against injustice and inequity. Terrorism is the fruit of oppression, intolerance and alienation. Terrorism exists because the world failed to listen to the voices of those who have been discriminated against and disenfranchised by society for a very long time.

Terrorism is the swan song of those who have been broken by lifelong indifference, intolerance and injustice. It is the final expression of those who have fought peacefully and valiantly but failed. And until governments and leaders are able to address injustice, reduce inequity, respect diversity and provide religious, social and political freedom to all, the seeds of discontent will continue to sow terrorism.

Until the world becomes more humane, the war on terror cannot be won.

(sunstarcebucolumnist@yahoo.com)

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(November 30, 2008 issue)
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