Wage war on roots of world terrorism

This war on terrorism is a new type of war in which technological and military superiority do not guarantee success. The enemy is not so much a nation state as an elusive and shadowy network of cells of individuals willing to sacrifice their lives to further their cause. They operate not only out of host nations but through sympathetic communities anywhere in the world -- some 60 countries by American count, including some in the West.

The war that will be fought is thus essentially a war without borders with no targets to destroy, just hearts and minds to be won. It will serve little purpose beyond immediate gratification for the U.S. to shoot up Afghanistan, or any other suspected host country, if the whereabouts of bin Laden cannot be ascertained. All that will do is propel the groundswell of resentment against the U.S. around the Muslim world, provide fertile breeding ground for future terrorists, and undermine and destabilize moderate Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the Gulf states.

Although Mr. Bush has been building international support for his war on terrorism, support could wane if he does not involve the United Nations more. Washington may not be thrilled about this but its allies certainly will not want to be seen as U.S. puppets whose only function is to rubber stamp American unilateral action. A sustained campaign cannot be waged without United Nations involvement.

Of course all of this will come to nothing if the real causes of terrorism are not also tackled. Any place where injustice, misery, despair and abject poverty are allowed to fester will turn into a hotbed of terrorism. Radicalized youth with no hope for the future will readily strap a bomb to their bodies or hijack a passenger plane and ram it into a building. It is against the causes of terrorism that a war should be declared.

Key strategies to this end if the Bush administration is to seek to win its war over terrorism is its re-engagement in the Middle East peace process and the further democratization of moderate Arab states.

-- The Bangkok Post