Sponsors of international terrorism

Experts say Al-Qaeda is weaker today than it was seven years ago, after 9/11. While Allied troops seem to defeat Al-Qaeda in Iraq, they are having a hard time in Afghanistan, where mounting military casualities leaves little hope for further progress.

The following report provides some insight on Terrorism and how it can be defeated:

Results of the War on Terror sofar:

Democracies in Afghanistan and Iraq, and trained local forces to fight terrorism and insurgencies nationwide are the greatest achievements. In addition, a re-thinking of military concepts in the US, France and other Western countries, to better anticipate terrorist actions are a direct result of the War on Terror.

Terrorists' main objectives:

Less foreign influence in Muslim affairs to pursue own social development paths; the establishment of a new Islamic caliphate or Head of State who will unify the Muslims and impose the Law of Sharia; the conversion of non-Arabs to Islam may be another hidden objective of Arab fundamentalists who clearly challenge the existing Arab-establishment, including the many Arab kingdoms and democracies.

Al-Qaeda's organization:

Centralized in decision taking, but decentralized when it comes to the execution of decisions; this means that anyone, anywhere, can execute an order to destroy, given by Al-Qaeda.

The use of violence:

Violence is meant to destroy the life of the Infidels. The killing of innocent lifes, including those of Muslim children, is a collateral factor that is accepted by high-ranking Arab terrorists in the name of Jihad or sacred war against the Infidels.

The source of Al-Qaeda's ideology:

Islam and the Law of Charia or laws of Islam, which can be broadly interpreted, is the main source of ideology.

All in all, Al-Qaeda is a populist terrorist organization that uses violence to promote Islam.

Destruction of past terrorist organizations:

Experts agree that past terrorist organizations were successfully destroyed either by 1) neutralizing their top members (IRA, Action Directe), by 2) using enormous power destruction against all members (Chechenia), by 3) negotiating the end of mutual violence, by 4) implosion, whereby the arguments of the group no longer hold coherence and approval in local communities, by 5) diffusion (FARC), whereby terrorism directed against the state converts into ordinary criminality over time. Obviously, terrorist organisations may also be destroyed using all of the above.

Al-Qaeda's distinction from other terrorist groups:

Terrorist ideologies most often are linked to national, racial or social revendications. By contrast, Al-Qaeda is based on national - therefore it is populist - and religious aspirations. Religion is one of human's most powerful source of motivation. The one example known that could compare to Al-Qaeda's aspirations are the first Crusaders of the XIth Century. They were the result of an intense piety that existed at the time, a promise to fight for a Just War to retake the Holy Land that included Jerusalem. Of course, the Soldiers of Church were promised a remission of their sins immediately, if they fought against Arabs in the name of God. The Crusaders can be mentioned as Al-Qaeda's opposite version, in that, it existed in Medieval times, and targetted the Arabs, although Jews and Orthodox Christians, who had split from the Catholic church's authority, were not spared. The Crusaders, also called Franks or al-ifranj by Arabs to express those who came from France, were known for their brutality. Mass executions, the throwing of severed heads over besieged city walls, exhibition and mutiliation of naked cadavers and even cannibalism marked their policy of terror against Heretics.

Al-Qaeda's similarities to other terrorist groups:

The emergence of extremism is linked to a devided, bipolar society: on the one hand modernism, and on the other hand archaism. When both meet, a spring of opportunities and values enriches Society. In some cases, however, modernism and archaism only coexist. Social injustices take place. This is best illustrated with today's gap between Rich and Poor in mostly developing countries. While the Rich take advantage from all available opportunities, the Poor only takes comfort in living a basic, but traditionally and humanly-rich lifestyle.

Stopping Al-Qaeda:

Jerry Lee's policy for stopping Al-Qaeda is based on a short- and long-term approach:

On the short term: it is essential to gain time and destroy the arguments of Extremists to allow terrorism implosion, whereby local people including the base of the terrorist group will no longer support terrorist activities. One of the main arguments to deal with is Western influence in the Middle-East; it must be reduced. See gw's Middle-East policy: change needed. A focus on renewable sources of energy, instead of fossil fuels, is the answer. Another argument given by terrorists to convince the masses of their legitimacy are the perpetual injustices perpetrated against the Palestinians, with Israel's refusal to engage in serious peace-talks that must lead to the creation of an independent state of Palestine. See gw's policy on Israel and Palestine. Therefore, Israel must make peace with the Palestinians and an independent state of Palestine must be founded.

Well-selected military interventions to stop terrorist cells from developing must follow gw's rules of engagement. See War Doctrine and Intel-Based Leadership.

On the long term: it is important to promote dialogue between Rich and Poor that leads, on the one hand, to more economic development, and on the other hand, to more respect for local, regional or national traditions and sensibilities.