The New York Times has published an article today that vindicates much of the criticism leveled at the Bush administration for its actions in Iraq. The report, entitled "Trends in Global Terrorism: Implications for the United States", was complied by 16 different intelligence organisations in the US. One intelligence official interviewed for the study claimed that:
Of course, this comes as no surprise to most sensible people. How could the invasion of Iraq not be used as propaganda to promote the causes of the radicals? The right have consistently claimed that this is untrue because September 11precededded any action in Iraq or Afghanistan. This is classic diversion tactics. The point that has always been made is that the terrorist cause has been strengthened by the invasion, not initiated after the attack on Afghanistan. Either the right are being genuinely ignorant of the reality, or they are aware of it and trying to mislead. Whatever there reasoning, the facts are plain for all to see.
Furthermore, another myth that has been propagated by the right has been blown apart by this report. The report claims that:
the radical Islamic movement has expanded from a core of Qaeda operatives and affiliated groups to include a new class of self-generating cells inspired by Al Qaedas leadership but without any direct connection to Osama bin Laden or his top lieutenants.
Again this has been a central claim by many that oppose the 'War on Terror'. It is clearly ridiculous to claim that there is a central, organised structure that us leading the terrorist charge. The reality is, of course, that Al-Qaeda is an ideology, an idea that draws support. It is not an organised group plotting multiple attacks around the globe. There are individual groups that are attracted by the ideas that Bin Laden spouts, who work in small groups to fulfill the ideology of Al-Qaeda. Of course, once again the right fail to grasp the reality of what's going on. According to them, the left continues to believe that Al-Qaeda does not exist, citing numerous sources that they fail to comprehend. The fact is, that Al-Qaeda does not exist as an organised structure, it exists as an ideology much like neo-conservatism, nationalism, socialism etc. It is simply an idea to gain support for its cause.
Of course, this report will be ignored or distorted by those on the right who seek to pursue their own agendas. As far as they are concerned, the US state is a benevolent state, promoting idealistic policies around the globe in order to develop a new world order. Interesting that a group of people who are supposedly opposed to the power of the state are so willing to support the state unquestionably, refusing to even entertain the possibility that the state has lied and deceived the people. Strange times indeed when the right begins to emulate communists.
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