THE UNITED STATES WAR ON TERROR

International law, unlike municipal law, deals with matters between state parties. Municipal law is concerned with matters between persons or person and state. The war on terror defies both applications to engage person versus state, at the international level.

On September 11th, 2001, the United States witnessed the most dastardly acts mankind had hitherto experienced. These acts, in concerted effort ushered in a new day—an age of terror. Blind rage was unleashed upon innocent citizens, for no just cause, to no specific end but to cause grievous harm. The body count was awesome.

Since then, the war has raged on a different battlefield.

War in Iraq and the Camp Delta, Guantanamo is where we are now. The former is a whole in the wall, while the latter is a stain in the sheets. What is the way forward? How did we get here? Notable is the profound silence from the legal arm of the law and the loud noise from the ‘Police’ functions of the US, extended into an ad hoc military exploit with inexplicable provisos.

Though the perpetrators of 9/11 neither tendered apologies or proffered reasons, it may be deduced that gross dissatisfaction of an aggravated nature must have inspired so unnatural a motive that moved men to undertake years of research and planning that would have impressed Albert Einstein and Romeo. The carnage though, only the likes of the Jackal could appreciate.

Demonic wisdom of inordinate capacity must have designed the possibility of reversing such a colossal metallic edifice at twice the heat of the sun, within minutes. Why should a man love his enemy dead so much as to lay down his own life to that effect? Even Samson would have refrained had he so much as a ray of hope to depend upon!

Could the strikers hail from roots in worse conditions than Samson’s? Are their ‘heroic’ deeds futuristic for the liberation of their people?

This is not very likely by the claims and circumstances of the prime suspect. The Al Qaeda and its leader represent no known people or nation. Unfortunately, the random and systematic attack of the US since then would seem to single out nations, races, cultures and a religion. This at best is a recipe for disaster.

The European press recently felt at liberty to give vent to its fury by inciting publications that ridiculed a religion. This is pardonable because Europe is reputed to be ‘Godless,’ so would hardly know what it feels like to have one’s religion ridiculed; especially one riddled with several militant zealot arms, at that.

Religion is a paraffin: it capitalizes on human sentiments rather than reason. In an age when leaders exploit their control and religious affiliations to perpetrate mayhem, the resultant progress is a drunken sway between extremes of polarized convictions. Two wrongs must work out and find one right solution.

As petty grievances culminated into a deadlock, which erupted in grievous conflict so small measures will bring about gradual solution. What situation could be worse than Samson’s: captured, gored, taunted, humiliated and ridiculed publicly. A complex knot of the sort should first be broken into distinct areas of human endeavor for appropriate measures. Political, economic, social and religious issues should be addressed on each front by persons most versatile in those areas.

The earth is ours to share equally. The days of pushing some out are over: a gun shot, now is a bullet expected back. So, though you answer a fool not to have him think himself wise; do not answer him always lest you be one such as he!