A useless war

The United States has intensified its attacks on Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan, and again, these strikes have claimed civilian lives, including those of children. Obviously, the targets were missed. Yet the whereabouts of the most wanted, Osama bin Laden, remains a mystery.

For the Taliban, the real war against the U.S. has yet to begin as none of their leaders have been killed. The Taliban has warned the U.S. that it will provide a bitter lesson, worse than that given to the Soviet Union.

The U.S.-led war on Afghanistan is useless because it will not stop terrorism. Besides, as a nation with a strong history of victory over enemies from Alexander the Great to Russia, Afghanistan will never surrender even if the U.S. intensifies its attacks.

The war is a mistake, a wrong way to settle the problem, which is committed by a country with the most advanced technology. Unfortunately, the U.S. does not realize its mistake.

Many times, the U.S. has said it is not targeting Islam but terrorism in its attacks. But as more bombings miss their targets, Muslims across the world have begun to show solidarity to the people in Afghanistan. If the war continues until the fasting month of Ramadhan, the world's Muslims will be angry.

It is thus time for the U.S. to settle the core of the problem using its heart and mind -- not with its weapons and power.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta