From Chinese Press

Rethink war on terrorism

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-15 08:12

A recent US State Department advisory tells its nationals in Europe that Al-Qaida is plotting terrorist attacks. This was followed by terror alerts issued in the United Kingdom and Japan. This means the nine-year war against terrorism has not been successful, and hence Western countries should reflect on their anti-terrorism strategy, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

After Sept 11, 2001, many Western countries, led by the US, have made unprecedented efforts to fight terrorism. The US alone has spent trillions of dollars to fight terrorism.

But the huge expenditure has not made Western countries more secure. On the contrary, terrorism has broadened its influence. The situation has come to such a pass because of the US' strategy of "seeking hegemony through anti-terrorism programs". The US started war in Afghanistan to eliminate terrorists and influence the neighboring countries into accepting its "Great Central Asia Strategy".

The US' actions have not only "revived" the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan both, but also made terrorist groups like Al-Qaida, Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan work more closely. The developments have a lot to do with Western countries' perception of and action against terrorism. Some people in the West relate terrorism with Muslims, which only deepens the conflict over race and religion. Some right-wingers and media outlets attribute such problems to immigrants, which has marginalized these people as well as their descendants. Consequently, stricter anti-terrorism measures have prompted more people to take up arms.

In the age of globalization, international relations and patterns are undergoing great changes. Given the diversity of religions, cultures and values in the world, we can curb terrorism only if we integrate the issue of terrorism in the framework of "global governance".

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(China Daily 10/15/2010 page9)