In 2004, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld commissioned a task force to study what causes Terrorism, and it concluded that "Muslims do not 'hate our freedom,' but rather, they hate our policies": specifically, "American direct intervention in the Muslim world" through our "one sided support in favor of Israel"; support for Islamic tyrannies in places like Egypt and Saudi Arabia; and, most of all, "the American occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan" (the full report is here). Now, a new, comprehensive study from Robert Pape, a University of Chicago political science professor and former Air Force lecturer, substantiates what is (a) already bleedingly obvious and (b) known to the U.S. Government for many years: namely, that the prime cause of suicide bombings is not Hatred of Our Freedoms or Inherent Violence in Islamic Culture or a Desire for Worldwide Sharia Rule by Caliphate, but rather. . . . foreign military occupations. As summarized by Politico's Laura Rozen
You have to admit it. They convinced a lot of people with their disinformation.
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens when people are not self educated.
This is what happens when citizens of the "Free world" do not pay attention.
Most people in America could not point out Afghanistan on a map.
Most of the Senators in America in the run up to the attack on Iraq did not know the difference between Sunni, and Shia.
Ignorance is not an excuse in a court of law when it comes to crimes against humanity.
Yes.Condoleeza Rice was one of the Americans who didn't know where Afghanistan was, as I recall. She admitted as much at the time as if it didn't really matter.
ReplyDelete