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U.S. Adapts Cold-War Idea to Fight Terrorists
New York Times ^ | March 18, 2008 | Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker

Posted on 03/18/2008 8:33:36 AM PDT by reaganaut1

WASHINGTON — In the days immediately after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, members of President Bush’s war cabinet declared that it would be impossible to deter the most fervent extremists from carrying out even more deadly terrorist missions with biological, chemical or nuclear weapons.

Since then, however, administration, military and intelligence officials assigned to counterterrorism have begun to change their view. After piecing together a more nuanced portrait of terrorist organizations, they say there is reason to believe that a combination of efforts could in fact establish something akin to the posture of deterrence, the strategy that helped protect the United States from a Soviet nuclear attack during the cold war.

Interviews with more than two dozen senior officials involved in the effort provided the outlines of previously unreported missions to mute Al Qaeda’s message, turn the jihadi movement’s own weaknesses against it and illuminate Al Qaeda’s errors whenever possible.

A primary focus has become cyberspace, which is the global safe haven of terrorist networks. To counter efforts by terrorists to plot attacks, raise money and recruit new members on the Internet, the government has mounted a secret campaign to plant bogus e-mail messages and Web site postings, with the intent to sow confusion, dissent and distrust among militant organizations, officials confirm.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: New York; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; borders; bush; bushlegacy; cair; cia; coldwar; counterrorism; crime; evil; fbi; gwot; homelandsecurity; internet; islamists; muslim; muslimbrotherhood; nationalsecurity; september12era; terrorism; terrorists; wot
Bush has made mistakes in prosecuting the Iraq war and in other areas. But maybe his administration deserves some credit for the absence of major terrorist attacks since 9/11. Much counterterrorism work will happen behind the scenes. We need to ask voters if they can trust Obama to keep them safe.
1 posted on 03/18/2008 8:33:37 AM PDT by reaganaut1
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To: reaganaut1

I’d be happier if we just sealed the borders and advised the Islamists that they can kiss Mecca and Medina goodbye if they try another 9/11.


2 posted on 03/18/2008 8:38:03 AM PDT by Digital Sniper (Hello, "Undocumented Immigrant." I'm an "Undocumented Border Patrol Agent.")
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To: reaganaut1
Bush has made mistakes in his prosecution in the War against Islamofascism. However, he should be given credit and praise for doing the one important thing his office should do-protect the American people (no domestic attacks since 9/11/2001).

My guess is that there's a lot of missing terrorists that were "vanished" from the face of the earth in Black-Ops that won't be de-classified for another 50 years.

3 posted on 03/18/2008 8:39:06 AM PDT by MuttTheHoople
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To: reaganaut1
" ... We need to ask voters if they can trust Obama to keep them safe."


Ask the voters if they trust Obama to keep them safe?


That some kind of joke, or is it part of the disinformation bit?


Oh ... Daddy Obama ... will you keep 'lil ole me safe? Will ya huh?


ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

4 posted on 03/18/2008 8:41:06 AM PDT by G.Mason (And what is intelligence if not the craft of out-thinking our adversaries?)
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To: Digital Sniper
"... and advised the Islamists that they can kiss Mecca and Medina goodbye if they try another 9/11."

There is rumor that in 2002 Bush did send a courier to Osama bin Laden with that exact message.

5 posted on 03/18/2008 8:43:49 AM PDT by avacado
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To: reaganaut1
Comments to two snippets:
Their preferred way to combat terrorism remains to capture or kill extremists, . . .

Why does the NY Slimes act like that's a bad thing?

Terrorists hold no obvious targets for American retaliation as Soviet cities, factories, military bases and silos were under the cold-war deterrence doctrine.

Well, there is that moon rock. Plus there's only one gasoline refinery in all of Iran. It would be too bad if there were an unfortunate accident at either place.

6 posted on 03/18/2008 8:46:42 AM PDT by Vigilanteman ((Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud))
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To: Digital Sniper

If the arabs build a Cathedral in mecca than the world will be more at ease. Then the rop will truely be for peace. But I don’t think anyone alive now will see that happen. I don’t want to wish and see the mirror refelection from the Space Shuttle. “Sempre Fi to my USMC Nephew”.


7 posted on 03/18/2008 8:49:47 AM PDT by cameraeye (The Lords Prayer on Obama's Lips? Where's the video?)
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To: avacado
There is rumor that in 2002 Bush did send a courier to Osama bin Laden with that exact message.

I would love to believe that...but it's hard to; especially with all the "religion of peace" blather that emanated from White House ever since then.

8 posted on 03/18/2008 8:51:08 AM PDT by Digital Sniper (Hello, "Undocumented Immigrant." I'm an "Undocumented Border Patrol Agent.")
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To: Digital Sniper

You nailed it. Thats the only form of deterrence that will work with these scumsuckers.


9 posted on 03/18/2008 8:52:56 AM PDT by ChinaThreat (s)
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To: Digital Sniper
"I would love to believe that...but it's hard to; especially with all the "religion of peace" blather that emanated from White House ever since then."

The way I see it is that it wouldn't cost much or take much effort to get that message to Osama so why not do it? It certainly calls his bluff and would be quite effective.

10 posted on 03/18/2008 8:53:40 AM PDT by avacado
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To: avacado
The way I see it is that it wouldn't cost much or take much effort to get that message to Osama so why not do it? It certainly calls his bluff and would be quite effective.

True. And yet I remember Tom Tancredo being left to twist in the wind when he made mention of glassing Mecca if the U.S. were ever hit by a dirty bomb courtesy of al Qaeda. Tancredo's remarks were the only thing that ever got through to the Islamists across the world, and he was condemned throughout the nation by the appeaseniks and RINOs.

11 posted on 03/18/2008 8:57:11 AM PDT by Digital Sniper (Hello, "Undocumented Immigrant." I'm an "Undocumented Border Patrol Agent.")
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To: reaganaut1

bump


12 posted on 03/18/2008 8:57:13 AM PDT by VOA
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To: Digital Sniper
"...And yet I remember Tom Tancredo being left to twist in the wind when he made mention of glassing Mecca if the U.S. were ever hit by a dirty bomb courtesy of al Qaeda. Tancredo's remarks were the only thing that ever got through to the Islamists across the world, and he was condemned throughout the nation by the appeaseniks and RINOs."

Still, if the Bush Admin did send the message they wouldn't want it shared with the world, just shared with Osama. So I don't see them (Bush Admin) going public with it even if Tancredo said it. As for the Congress RINOs that's another matter. Either way, it's an interesting rumor.

13 posted on 03/18/2008 9:14:24 AM PDT by avacado
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To: reaganaut1

Nuanced resurrection of Cold War containment policies for terrorists and rogue states ignores George Kennan’s prerequisites from his “1,000 word telegram”. For him Cold War would be struggle for world economic domination against Soviet Union governing apparatus. Marist/Leninist worldview mirrored traditional, instinctive Russian ruling class neurotic insecurities about retaining power, despite archaic, fragile political systems. Soviet Union would employ various strategies short of war, advancing control internally, and undermining
Western nations. Soviets would not pursue hazardous, systematic plans of Hitlerite Germany, but seek opportunities. Therefore, Soviet Union would not risk national resources and stature against adversaries possessing sufficient power, and demonstrating clear readiness to use it.

Such parallels do not obtain for Global War on Terror (GWOT). Often no state exists to confront. The creative, massive deaths sought provide Wahhabi jihadists both means and objectives to establish the Caliphate. Pursuit of bestial slaughter dominates traditional Muslim allegiance to family, tribe, and ethnicity. Their Caliphate can as easily rise from embers of this current world as within populations submissive to their savagery.

Victory instead requires vigorous, costly engagement along full spectrum of diplomacy, including military force. Engagement focuses continuous attacks against terrorist leadership, communications, and infrastructure. Engagement promotes representative governments such as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Engagement requires supporting African, Oriental and Asian country initiatives for GWOT victory. By frustrating plans, breaking alliances, and fracturing organizations, Wahhabi jihadists form ever less effective units. Without cities or countries bin Laden, and successor sociopath prophets, live out unnaturally shortened lives as pariahs.


14 posted on 03/18/2008 11:09:35 AM PDT by Retain Mike
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To: Vigilanteman

“Terrorists hold no obvious targets for American retaliation as Soviet cities, factories, military bases and silos were under the cold-war deterrence doctrine.”

BS. Take out the bastard nations that arm and support them.


15 posted on 03/18/2008 12:05:23 PM PDT by Levante
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