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on 16-07-2002 17:24
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The Lessons of Terror: A History of Warfare against Civilians: Why it has always failed and why it will fail again.
Reviewed by Khalil Abdel Alim
By Caleb Carr
Random House
$19.95
271 pp
“(T) errorism, in other words, is simply the contemporary name given to, and the modern permutation of, warfare deliberately waged against civilians with the purpose of destroying their will to support either leaders or policies that the agents of such violence find objectionable.” Caleb Carr
Author Caleb Carr, who is also a military historian, has written a book on the historical origins of terrorism that contains some startling revelations. Mr. Carr in his book disabuses those who perceive so-called terrorism as a modern-day phenomenon. He traces its roots to the Roman Empire and its wars of conquest.
He will disturb those who are in the throes of the current emotional patriotism that see no wrong in America and its policies abroad when he points out that real terror is conducted by powers and super powers and that it is-“ a type of war that has been practiced at one time or another by every nation on earth-including, all too often the United States.”
One salient lesson of historic terror to be learned from Rome was that some of the most effective leaders of rebellion against Rome had been trained in Roman legions. Mr. Carr points out that a nation cannot train agents of terror and cast them aside when no longer needed. Modern examples glaringly dramatize that.
Carr observes that the Holy book of Muslims-the Quran- restricts their behavior in war from terrorism and unnecessary violence.
The crusades were organized and fought to curtail the terrorism against non-combatants by Muslim and Christian solders in the 11th century. In 1095 Pope Urban Ii rallied Christian solders to fight the “Muslim menace.””Let those who have long been robbers now be soldiers of Christ. Let those who once fought against brothers and relatives now rightfully fight against barbarians.” According to Carr the sentiments for such conflict continue today. He cites President Bush’s call for a crusade against terrorism that has only been waged in Muslim countries with only Muslims declared as international terrorists.
Caleb Carr’s objective analysis of terrorism strips away the emotional buzz words and thoughtless name-calling. When understood by its definition and historical roots juxtaposed the conduct and behavior of the United States and Israel one should give pause before designating those who engage in warfare to seek relief from political grievances whether Philippine Muslim, Irish, Palestinians, or Saudis resisting a regime viewed by them and others as illegitimate and oppressive as terrorists.
Many great leaders of the past have counseled against waging war against civilians such as Sun-tsu. They advised that brutality against the people did not humble them but increased their resolve. That could apply to the “collateral damage” of today. A lesson that Carr said should be heeded today by those who seek to wage a so-called war against ‘terrorism.” Carr gives another lesson for contemporary warfare. Europeans as they engaged Africa developed the philosophy and policy of “to defeat a savage you have to become a savage.” That is paraphrased by some today as “to defeat a terrorist you must become a terrorist.”
“Total War” according to Carr was brutal, scorched earth strategy, a form of terrorism that destroyed everything and killed everyone and was practiced during the American Civil War especially by General Tecusmseh Sherman and his infamous march to the sea. Southerners responded after the war with their homegrown brand of terrorism by the Klu Klux Klan.
Carr posits that history has shown terrorism against civilians is counterproductive for rather than demoralize them it increases their resolve to resist. He cites Hitler as a practitioner of state terrorism and how it worked to increase the resistance of the Russians during the Second World War. He also indicated the allies used the strategy with its “strategic bombing” campaign-high altitude bombing that killed many civilians only strengthened well the German people and made victory over Hitler slower and more costly.
After the war, America in its attempt to counter Russia developed under the leadership of a mentally ill James Forestall (who eventually committed suicide), the National Security Council, the Defense department, and the CIA that in the name of fighting communism’s, assinated leaders and overthrew governments. The United States followed the old rule fighting the evil of your enemy with equal evil developed the CIA into what Carr describes as an “organ of state terror.”
Mr. Caleb Carr in his final chapter of lessons that current leaders should heed explains the historic roots of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He points out that the violence and terrorism began with the early leaders of the Jewish state like Manachem Begin of the Irgun. They and the Stern Gang committed acts of terror against British military, government officials, and Jewish and Arab civilians. According to Carr.” The strain of vicious terrorism that the Irgun had bred into Israeli character would never be removed …it would inspire vengeful imitation among Palestian Arabs.”
He further stated that when Yasir Arafat led his people from Guerrilla warfare to terror attacks against Israeli civilian they lost popular support in the world. Terrorism when committed has always been counterproductive.
Mr. Carr gives leaders some specific advice from the lessons of terror that he lays out in his book.
Carr’s treatise on the historical use of terror and the lessons he expounds demonstrate how modern leaders should be careful of how they bandy about the use of the word terrorism and of whom they disgnate as terrorist.
As the old adage says, when you point your finger at others three are pointed back at you.
Last update : 16-07-2002 17:24
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