Editor,
Obviously, the provocation of Sept. 11 requires a decisive response. If we are thoughtlessly emotional about the method of that response, however, we may end up supporting the terrorists' goals and desires. They are evil, but they are neither cowards or stupid. A huge enemy body count is not the answer.
The terrorists have demonstrated that they are not afraid of death and would happily condemn millions of their countrymen to a "martyr's" death if it would further their goals.
A reasoned strategy should inflict maximum punishment on the political aims of radical Islamic terrorists, while preserving as much human life as possible. If we rain indiscriminate destruction from the air, we recruit for the terrorists. Let us instead attack the political objectives of terror. Let us create consequences for terrorism that are meaningful to people for whom death is not a deterrent.
First, the rally-cry for radical Islamic terrorism for decades has been the creation of a Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel. We may lament the history of Palestine, but massive terror has been launched on its behalf and for its benefit.
We should take the hard national position that the attack on the United States has compromised the chance of a Palestinian state for a generation. Any political gains toward a Palestinian state in the foreseeable future will be seen in the Middle East as fruit of Sept. 11 and will increase the pressure for more massive terror chasing more concessions from the West.
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The greater aim of the terrorists is political power for radical Islamic governments. We may attack that goal without creating a cycle of martyrs. The Taliban, for example, has happily given refuge to our enemies.
Let the United States and NATO declare war on Afghanistan and stipulate that the only outcome can be the Taliban's unconditional surrender and disarmament. It would then become a temporary international protectorate while institutions are created. If they do not surrender immediately, we should name a specific time, a week in the future, and declare that on that date, anyone within 30 miles of an airport or a train line will be committing suicide.
On schedule, we massively take out all air and rail capability, and we keep it out. If necessary, communication infrastructure and any heavy industry could bloodlessly follow. They either surrender or remain politically an isolated, impotent, backwater country - no player in the 21st century.
At the same time, we should actively provide for the delivery of food, medicine and other necessities to the common Afghani people while supporting our moderate Muslim allies. We similarly attack the political influence of any state that supports terror.
Never-ending escalation of the killing is the enemy's game plan. Logically, that is inescapable but they also have said as much. We have to be smarter, not just stronger, than they are.
Michael Basinger
UNM graduate student
