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...as a number the specialists have pointed out, Bush is Osama bin Laden's best ally... [9/11] was bitterly condemned by the jihadi movement around the world. The leading figures, the radical clerics and others, were denouncing it. Well, there was an opportunity to make some moves towards the Muslim world, and in fact even the radical Islamic extremist elements of the Muslim world, and undermine support for Al-Qaeda. What Bush did was the opposite: resorted to violence, particularly in Iraq, which simply mobilized support for Osama bin Laden. That's the way to deal with terrorism if you want to escalate it.

Noam Chomsky#104

WarForeign policyTerrorismStrategyConsequences

About this quote

What does it mean?
Military responses can increase support for terrorists rather than reduce it.
In plain terms
Violent actions help terrorists gain more support.
What can you take from it?
Consider how responses might fuel further conflict.

Where it applies

  • counterterrorism efforts
  • international conflicts
  • political responses

Putting it to work

  • evaluate military strategies
  • analyze counterterrorism policies
  • assess geopolitical impacts

Questions to consider

  • How do military actions affect terrorist recruitment?
  • What alternatives exist for counterterrorism?

Another view

The claim simplifies complex terrorist recruitment dynamics.

More from Noam Chomsky

  1. Such attacks are morally outrageous and politically imbecilic. They are the best gift one can give to the most hardline and brutal elements -- exactly as happe…

    Permalink to quote #103
  2. Wanton killing of innocent civilians is terrorism, not a war against terrorism.

    Permalink to quote #105
  3. Even if [9/11 conspiracy theories] were true, which is extremely unlikely, who cares? It doesn't have any significance. It's a little bit like the huge energy …

    Permalink to quote #102

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