...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.
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
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do military actions affect terrorist recruitment?
- What alternatives exist for counterterrorism?
Another view
The claim simplifies complex terrorist recruitment dynamics.
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