A New Approach Is Needed

On TV this AM, Michael Chernoff of Homeland Security declared that the intent of al-Qaida to wage "war" was unabated. The evidence of their resolve to cause America pain and suffering was the arrest in Germany and Denmark of plotters of terrorist acts against American military bases and personnel.

Six years after 9/11 and after 4-1/2 years of military action, we still find al-Qaida "unabated". Could this be a clue that our efforts in Iraq are misdirected? Apparently, after all the dead and injured troops, lives disrupted, debt incurred, resources wasted, international good-will squandered, and opportunities lost, the American public is still at risk from Islamist terrorism.

Instead of seeing al-Qaida as a nail that needs to be driven into oblivion and our armed forces as the hammer that can do just that, another solution is needed. I would support convening experts in counter-terrorism, international criminal investigation, all aspects of the Middle East and any other pertinent topic to develop a plan of action to quell the threat from fanatical Islamists. Naturally, their informed deliberations and recommendations would have to remain confidential as future actions to counter al-Qaida are prepared, but at least we could develop a plan that had a chance of working. Of course, as actions are taken to abate the intent of al-Qaida to kill some of us and injure others, the new efforts would necessarily be disclosed. Withdrawal from Iraq would be accomplished as an alternative strategy is implemented.

Perhaps, my ideas are naïve. But has an effort like that I described been attempted? If so, why don't we know about it? If not, why not? There has to be a better solution than sending in the troops, which in my estimation is an inappropriate way to counter terrorism.