I must admit I have been paying very little attention to American Politics for the last few days. Thankfully, since they more than match some of worst of Europe’s extreme right.
I agree with Obama on this one
Obama, speaking in the Philippines where is attending a regional summit, said: “We are not well served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic. We don’t make good decisions if it’s based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks.
“When individuals say we should have a religious test and that only Christians, proven Christians should be admitted, that’s offensive.
“I cannot think of a more potent recruitment tool for Isil [Isis] than some of the rhetoric that’s been coming out of here during the course of this debate.
“Isil seeks to exploit the idea that there’s war between Islam and the west, and when you see individuals in positions of responsibility suggesting Christians are more worthy of protection than Muslims are in a war-torn land, that feeds the Isil narrative. It’s counter-productive. And it needs to stop.
Rhetoric and actions matter. Never has it been more important to react in a way that defuses rather than inflames the recruitment rhetoric. “they hate us” [used by all to many on both sides] is an easy sell. I understand the raids going on in Europe these past few days, I just pray that they don’t become another form of discrimination and oppression over the coming months.
Religious discrimination? Now that brings back memories of the darkest days experienced by the European continent, it brings back memories of the refusal of asylum by the US from the most violent and brutal regime the world has ever known. It is not rhetoric that should be being used today, it is vile beyond words.
Calls for deportation, religious labeling and exclusion send shivers down my spine, far more so than the screams of rage of the terrorists. Calls for annihilation and extermination beg the questions:
When do you stop?
Where do you draw the line?
When have you won?
Then what?
People talk about “filling the political vacuum” when this is over, with whom precisely? With those who we deem acceptable? We haven’t had much success with that one, from Operation Boot[UK]/ TPAJAX Project[USA] [1953] to today.
Some ask me what would I do:
You have to analyze what went wrong in the past, you have to know the why to stop doing more of the same.
You have to work on the reasons for radicalization within Europe. Segregation and discrimination of whole groups that creates an atmosphere conducive to recruitment. Rather than fuel it with more bigoted and cowardly rhetoric.
You have to go after the money and arms suppliers. You also have to look at some of our allies and how they treat their own populations and who also actually fund terrorism. You have to deal with the black-market and shut it down by following the money. Who is buying the black-market oil.
You have to stop selling weapons even to those governments we believe are our friends.
I am also in favor of seizing the assets of those that profit from this and using that money for the refugees and victims of terrorism. The images of brand new Toyotas SUVs should be an easy trail to follow for example.
You have to effectively combat the propaganda not fuel it by more physical war. Cyber war is one method.
I believe that a real two state solution in Palestine will reduce the levels of mistrust through the whole region.
We have to condemn all deaths.
Work to reduce the Sunni-Shia sectarian violence and division.
You have to be more intelligent than your enemy, not more brutal.
Welcome the refugees, treat them with the dignity they deserve, they have suffered more than most ever will.
Prove that we are better than those preaching further hatred, division and bloodshed.
And so on, there is no quick imperial instafix.