Forward - 09.14.2001

 

The Forward

The Lessons After the Chaos

By David A. Harris

Any attempt to grasp the stark reality of what took place in this country on September 11 is bound to fall short. The sheer magnitude and impact of the terror attacks are beyond comprehension.

But let's be clear. While no one could have foreseen such a brazen and ambitious assault on the symbols of our nation, the terrorist threat did not begin yesterday nor is it now behind us.

Rather, it has been crying out for attention for many years.

Think back to the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut. The 1988 downing of Pan Am 103. The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center — whose objective was to topple one of the towers. The 1996 attack on our military personnel at the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. The 1998 destruction of the American embassies in Nairobi and Dar es-Salaam. The assault last year on the USS Cole in Yemen. Not to mention those planned terrorist acts that were foiled by alert U.S. law enforcement.

In the name of misguided political and religious totalitarianism, the United States becomes the preeminent target and terrorism the weapon of choice. Let us be absolutely clear: This is not about Israel, although Israel may also loom large in the demonology of the terrorists. It's about the American, indeed Western, way of life: our values, our modernity, our liberalism and our courage to stand up to those who challenge a peaceful world order and democratic values.

Those who despise us have not kept it a secret. To the contrary, they have broadcast their message loud and clear. America is the "Great Satan," they repeat ad nauseum, and, accordingly, it must be destroyed. They've been saying it, but who has been listening?

While no group has claimed responsibility for this dastardly deed, our government has no doubt who is behind the operation: Osama Bin Laden and his network. There aren't many other anti-American forces with either the will or capacity to mount such a complex operation.

Also striking is who is celebrating in the streets — the very same people who welcomed Saddam Hussein's occupation of Kuwait and stood against the U.S.-assembled coalition in the Gulf War. Images of crowds of Palestinians cheering, blowing car horns, shooting their guns and passing out sweets in West Bank towns and cities, while America faces what is arguably the single most calamitous day in our history, presents a chilling image that will long be etched in our national memory.

As events sink in, which will take a long time, and as we all reach out to the families of the victims, we need to bear several things in mind.

First, this was not an act of terror, but an act of war. The object was to kill as many Americans as possible and to paralyze our nation's infrastructure.

Second, there is no room for temporizing or psychobabble about seeking to understand the "concerns" or "grievances" of the perpetrators.

Third, terrorists seek to knock a nation off balance, to create ripple effects of fear that lead to self-imposed restraints on behavior. Our national response must be one of unity and resolve. This is a time to come together, to rally around our political leaders, and to refuse to be cowed.

Fourth, we have to be certain that our military, intelligence and law enforcement agencies have the sustained capacity — and public support — to respond to the challenges before them. This is not a short-term war, nor is it out in an open battlefield.

Fifth, Afghanistan harbors Osama Bin Laden and terrorist training camps. Three nations in the world recognize Taliban rule in the country — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan — and help to keep that regime in power.

These three countries cannot have it both ways; they must choose, and if they choose incorrectly, they need to know that they will pay a heavy price not just from the United States but from civilized nations everywhere. If any other nation is involved in harboring or supporting the terrorists, the same rule must apply. As an American official once said, our friends cannot do business by day with countries that plan the murder of Americans by night.

Sixth, we need to bear in mind that this is not Islam in action, far from it. To the contrary, it is the perversion of a noble religion by fanatics.

Finally, we must accept the fact that our way of life has, in at least one important sense, changed for a long time to come. As Israel has learned from painful experience, security is not an option; it is a daily necessity, inconvenient at times, perhaps, but absolutely essential. No security system is foolproof, as we know, but vigilance can go a long way.

September 11 will become embedded in the national consciousness every bit as much as December 7, "the day that will live in infamy." On both days, America was caught by surprise by an enemy seeking to inflict the maximum possible damage on our nation. In 1941, that enemy was confronted and, after four costly years, was vanquished. Let it be said in the years to come that the enemy that challenged America is 2001 was similarly crushed.

Mr. Harris is executive director of the American Jewish Committee.