Apartheid IsraelToday, we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11 with the solemn remembrance it deserves. We must never forget the lost innocent civilian lives the world witnessed as we all take an oath to always defend and honor this country. But as we bow our heads to honor those who perished on this day, we should also ask an important question: Is America losing the War on Terror 20 years after 9/11?
Are we any closer to winning against our enemies? Both real and perceived? The really dangerous ones and those we conveniently demonize to keep our war machine well oiled? These are big questions that are almost impossible to answer; but just knowing that our War on Terror is nothing more than an honest knee-jerk reaction to 9/11, which has since expanded to also include many other global groups other than al-Qaeda, is as important to realize that we may be losing sight of what we have become 20 years into fighting this endless conflict.
By the way, I object to calling this global conflict “War on Terror” for a very simple reason. Wars usually end. The War on Terror seems endless and bottomless.
The Brown University study concludes that, so far, the costs of War on terror over a 20-year period has exceeded $8 Trillions.
EIGHTY-FIVE COUNTRIES AND COUNTING
How many Americans know that we are engaged in counter-terrorism activities, which aim to nab the terrorists before they cause any harm, across 85 different countries? That’s almost half the countries on earth.
According to a study by the prestigious Brown University, the U.S. counter-terrorism operations between 2018 and 2020 covered 85 countries most of which are located in the Middle East and Africa. Some operate in Europe to monitor the Muslim population with an inclination to engage in domestic terrorism. Who can forget the Nice truck attack in 2016? Or the Nice church stabbing in 2020?
The Brown University study concludes that, so far, the costs of War on Terror over a 20-year period has exceeded $8 Trillions. That 8,000 Billions of our tax dollars. In return, what do we have to show for except the enrichment of some dubious companies which benefit greatly from this endless conflict?
Is our War on Terror a modern form of a crusade against Muslim countries? Or is it a national strategy to enable our global reach and control?
IS AMERICA LOSING THE WAR ON TERROR?
The money we have spent so far begs the question: Is America losing the War on Terror after 20 years of fighting it? It all started in Afghanistan in 2001, but now we are operating in 85 countries. That does not project confidence in terms of whether we are heading towards a successful conclusion. On the contrary, it says we are not winning against terror.
The next logical question to ask then is: Why the United States is unable to conclude this war, or at least negotiate its way out of a state of permanent hostilities with the Muslim world?
Is our War on Terror a modern form of a crusade against Muslim countries? Or is it a national strategy to enable our global reach and control? When you operate in 85 countries, under the guise of fighting terror but fail to stop it, then we must ask why? We must ask what is the purpose here?
How much those countries [Saudi Arabia and Qatar] cover in terms of the costs it takes to protect them and protect us from terrorists? They pay nothing.
SHOULD WE NOT CHARGE COUNTRIES TO PROTECT THEM?
Domestically speaking, we recorded 15 extremist Muslim-inspired attacks since 9/11. Almost all of them conducted by domestic terrorists.
Many Muslim extremists do not want infidels building air bases or roaming their cities with military humvees. That objection usually translates into acts of terror, which manifest themselves daily in the hotspots where the U.S. has military presence.
Most terror attacks would stop if we folded our tents and abandoned our bases in countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia even though it is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
How much those countries cover in terms of the costs it takes to protect them and protect us from terrorists? They pay nothing. Should we not at least start charging these wealthy countries hundreds of billions to safeguard their riches and thrones?
Today’s status quo is untenable. Either we exit the Muslim world to curb the costs associated with protecting ourselves, or we start billing countries we protect the many billions they owe us to preserve their existence.
Meanwhile, let us not ever forget the heroes who died on that day, nor their bereaved families. Let us not forget the first responders who survived the tragedy, or those who still suffer from witnessing first-hand the morning of 9/11. Let us never forget September 11, 2001.
Is America Losing the War on Terror 20 Years Later?
Apartheid Israel
