My middle-east anti-terrorism plan...

[Moses]

Let me start by saying I am not in favor of the military excursion in Iraq. Nor am I a lefty apologist who thinks America is responsible for most what's wrong in the world. We are still a superpower, and everywhere we go leaves a bigger footprint.

Here's how I see it; The Mullahs and Imams and Saddams have one thing in common. They cling to power with the tenacity of a pit bull. To keep power, they imprison and murder the political opposition, even relatives. Some are religious hardliners, some are secular power brokers. They may not fear death, but loss of power is unthinkable.

Why not announce to the world that we intend to establish a covert-ops superfund. Tell the third world that we intend to infiltrate every level of government, buying and stealing secrets in an attempt to thwart terrorism. If our clandestine research reveals credible evidence that your nation has knowingly supported, harbored or sheltered terrorist organizations, you will be removed from power. There will be no invading army or occupying force. No attempt at nation building. Your leaders will simply disappear. Perhaps in the middle of the night at the hands of a team of specialists, perhaps in a single blinding flash of a cruise missle as your government assembles. Whatever new leaders arise to fill the leadership vacuum of your departure is of no consequence to us. We will deliver to them the same message you just received; we will not abide the sanctioning of terrorists.

Perhaps with the proper "motivation" the Saudi royal family and the Mullahs and Imams might actually police themselves.

Just a thought.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I like it. It's definitley time to put away the big hammer. Pounding Saddam, terrorists, or nails into soldier's coffins, there's got to be a better way.

[bryanthompson]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Make them look over their shoulders a little bit.

[Superman]

Interesting.

[JavaBrewer]

Put a wall around Jerusalem and give complete control to the UN or some other multi-national organization. Sell cokes and ice-cream there for $5/ea. Maybe even a petting zoo?

[1967 R50/2]

Nice plan. Sounds like the Brotherhood of Assassins from back in the middle ages.

HOWEVER, I am certain that if we announced this to the world, just about every country in the UN would cut of political and trade relations immediately.

Best to walk softly and carry a big stick.

[Moneyguy1]

Yeah, sure..there might be some backlash. However, the fact of the matter is that the idea that the Imams and Mullahs are power hungry, mix politics and religion into a deadly mix, it might be the only way. I have advocated small clandestine activieites all along rather than huge military action. Large military is too juicy a target...Spooks are harder to find and harder to deal with. SInce the "other side" is using this technique and doing quite well with it, it's about time that we did the same. I think, over time, other UN members would see the wisdom of the way, especially if thay are targets in the future.

Thoughtful plan, Moses....

[cantdrv55]

I don't think our intelligence can ever be that good and we still move pretty slow when we do have info, imo.

[Moneyguy1]

If the Government can keep Area 51 so secret, I have some confidence they could do the same with another project. When pressed, we can become quite secretive.

[gaijindabe]

Superfund? Have you seen the NSA budget lately? The whack-jobs that pull the pin are not those that plan these operations. The whole smart bomb, cruise missle, stealth aircraft thing could work wonders...

But could you imagine the backlash? America acting unilaterally, wiping out a government / military command / school - mosque with no warning and no presented evidence?

[Mule]

I'm on board.

[tabs]

What makes U think we aren't allready doing it....It really is no secret about who is funding and supporting the Habibs...

The war on Terror is a COVERT war....we never hear about the successes....or in this case who has disappeared or had an accident or heart attack...or.....???

[Neilk]

Sounds like a good idea. Only one slight problem, if Chalabi, the exiled Iraqi leader, was able to convince US intel that Iraq was an imminent threat, who's to say that some anti-government terrorists couldn't compel us to over throw a good government? Still like the plan.

[juanbenae]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
I don't think our intelligence can ever be that good and we still move pretty slow when we do have info, imo.

especially the group running things now.

[911pcars]

Sounds like that would increase their use of torture to expose covert plans, then we would have matching detention centers; but then we could trade the contents from time to time.

Honestly, I don't know what to do. What a mess.

Sherwood

[island911]

Originally posted by k911sc
especially the group running things now.

Yeah . .. thay so stoopit, they can't even win no election.

[CamB]

Tell the third world that we intend to infiltrate every level of government, buying and stealing secrets in an attempt to thwart terrorism. If our clandestine research reveals credible evidence that your nation has knowingly supported, harbored or sheltered terrorist organizations, you will be removed from power.

Yikes. You'd have to forgive the rest of the world for hating you on that basis.

If you did it in secret (or are already doing it) and get caught, there'd be hell to play.

Its just not cricket, basically. Why can't you respect other nations' sovereignty? You'd scream blue murder if you caught other nations (well, weak ones) doing such things in the US.

(edit) And dressing it up as "rooting out terrorism" doesn't legitimise it in any way.

[araine901]

Read "Teeth of the Tiger" By Tom Clancy

[tobster1911]

Sounds like a James Bond move.

Where do I apply for my double 0 rating?

[CamB]

Originally posted by araine901
Read "Teeth of the Tiger" By Tom Clancy

The Amazon reviews are enlightening.