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 Bushs 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 Qaedas message, turn the jihadi movements own weaknesses against it and illuminate Al Qaedas 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 ...
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.
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.
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
There is rumor that in 2002 Bush did send a courier to Osama bin Laden with that exact message.
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.
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”.
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.
You nailed it. Thats the only form of deterrence that will work with these scumsuckers.
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.
bump
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.
Nuanced resurrection of Cold War containment policies for terrorists and rogue states ignores George Kennans 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.
“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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.