War...What Is It Good For

The U.S. has made great progress in it’s fight against terrorism. Or has it? On September 1, 2024 terrorist group Al Qaeda hijacked commercial airplanes crashing them into New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing thousands of Americans. Shortly thereafter, many Americans wanted revenge. The U.S. suspected Iraq and Afghanistan of supporting Al Qaeda extremists and quickly became involved in wars in both countries. However there were some Americans who disagreed with these actions. California Congresswoman Barbara Lee did not think that going to war would resolve the conflict, displayed in the quote: “I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States.” Still George Bush convinced the country to go to war. The result was the death of over 4,000 American soldiers and a cost to the U.S estimated at over 3 trillion dollars. Now that the U.S has withdrawn from the area, both Iraq and Afghanistan are still unstable and threatened by extremists.

Winston Churchill once said, “Those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” Today a new advanced group of Islamic extremists has arisen called ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria). The group’s leaders are former members of Al Qaeda and are even now being called Al Qaeda extremists. Their actions are considered brutal and horrific and their latest attack involved the video taped beheading of British aid worker David Hains. During the video ISIS threatened the life of another hostage, and said that “This was a direct message to the allies of America.” Just as in the 2002 attacks, these terrorists are demanding the attention of our nation and our allies and they are getting it. During the most recent presidential address, Obama was careful to define the actions of the U.S. against ISIS as defensive. Although the U.S. has made hundreds of successful airstrikes against ISIS targets, Obama insisted that the U.S. would not engage in another land war in the Middle East. Still there are those who argue that the U.S. and it’s allies must annihilate ISIS as soon as possible.

It is true, ISIS must be stopped. WIth each day ISIS becomes more and more powerful. However it is possible for the U.S. to get involved without entering another devastating war. As President Obama urged in his address, the middle eastern countries threatened by ISIS need to take the lead. America should only give them the help they need. This type of help could include airstrikes, supply of weaponry, and tactical support. If history has taught us anything, it is that war will not prevent further acts of international terrorism. When the U.S. killed Osama Bin Laden it did not demolish Al Qaeda. Instead it pissed off the remaining members and caused even more animosity against the U.S. By taking extreme action the U.S has made itself more of a target of the Islamic extremists than it was before the wars.