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Who is Winning the War on Terror? - Sunanda Vashisht Sunanda Vashisht was born in the beautiful valley of Kashmir, India when Kashmir was known for its unparalleled natural beauty and not as a cauldron of fear and terror. She did most of her schooling in Delhi and dabbled with several professions before moving to U.S last year. she is currently pursuing higher studies here. she likes to introduce herself as an explorer because she wants to spend all her time in this world exploring unknown. Writing for her is a cathartic experience. She can't remember when she began writing first but she does know that writing has always helped her to be at peace with herself and with the world around her.

September 11, 2003 marks two years of worst terrorist attack on American civilians in New York. It also marks two years of war against terror announced by George Bush Jr . September 11 definitely was a day for retrospection. United States sure has made its presence felt in Afghanistan and Iraq. They claim that they have made some inroads into terror camps and are on their way to make our planet a safer place to live. The ground realities seem to say something entirely different. On the eve of 9/11 anniversary Mr. Bush seems to be more mellowed down. Seeking more active UN participation is a clear digression from the path just before the attack on Iraq where he said that if he is alone in fighting the war on terror then so be it. This is a definite change in tone on the second anniversary of 9/11. As Americans gather together to mourn the worst terror strike on their country I think American policy makers have also realized that war on terror is not a war in traditional sense of the word. Military supremacy is not the only thing that will determine success here. Armed strikes might wipe out governments as we have seen in Iraq and Afghanistan but it won’t help contain militancy. After almost a year and a half of bombarding Afghanistan we haven’t been able to touch Osama Bin Laden the original ‘Bad Man’. Instead on the 9/11 anniversary the world is gifted with yet another video and audio tape by Osama where he looks much more healthier and younger than before and of course he along with his deputy are busy spewing vitriolic against Americans. Saddam Hussein , another national enemy is still at large and governing Iraq seems to be a more and more uphill task for Americans. If George Bush had entered Iraq with the intention of getting Saddam’s head on the platter to show his countrymen how he had avenged them, then he certainly has failed. Instead he is faced by the huge task of trying to put Iraq in order which by his own admission is not easy. And what about Militant Strikes , from the bomb blasts in Jakarta to blasts in Bombay terrorists seem to be unfortunately having the heyday.

Terrorism can never be justified nor can it be defended with any rhetoric. Terrorism is a crime against mankind and whoever indulges in terrorist attacks is the mankind’s worst enemy. How can the war against terror be won? Definitely not by Military might as we have already seen in last two years. United States needs to consult and work with all the countries that have been living with terrorism for last so many years like India and other such countries.

There are few masterminds behind terrorist attacks and the only way they are successful are by involving young and restless youth who are disillusioned by the establishment. These are then brainwashed and turned into Jehadis who see no reason and because they feel no stake in the society they live in they would rather destroy it. Therefore the war on terrorism while being an international issue today has to be dealt locally. The individual governments have to ensure to get more and more people in the mainstream so that they are less disenchanted by the establishment. Once that happens all the Osama Bin ladens of the world would automatically be rendered useless because they would have lost their precious tools, men who are ready to die for the religion. And then we needn’t fear Osama or Saddam Hussein.

I know it is easier said than done. But United States seems to have made an attempt at involving everyone by asking for more active involvement of United Nations.

Terrorism needs to be defeated and we need to be together to render terrorists powerless against us.

Till we connect again...

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