'Tactics of the Crescent Moon: Militant Muslim Combat Methods', H. John Poole, Ray L. Smith
Yes, Islamic terror must be defeated. It is clearly the biggest single danger facing the world besides environmental problems. How?
Massed firepower may not provide the solution for now. Instead, it can be counterproductive due to collateral damage. This book examines the methods and tactics* used by extremists, from ambushes to suicide bombings in various conflicts including the Palestinian terror campaign to the Iraqi insurgency. This book states the obvious for those who are familiar with the Islamic terror operations. Narratives and accounts. Nothing very difficult. However, it serves as a useful reminder for the men on the ground. It also serves as a single collation of the tactics used. A useful volume.
Given the fickle public opinion today, it is hard to envisage a long term plan in Iraq that will satisfy them. Realistically, it will take years before Iraq can be reformed. The occupation of Japan and Germany after the Second World War had shown that a not inconsiderable period of time is needed.
Hopefully, people worldwide, especially Europeans, will awaken to the threat of Iran and realise that pre-emptive strikes are necessary to remove this growing threat. Iran is run by madmen. Remove the leadership.
Similarly, unless Hamas reforms, there may eventually be a need to remove them.
*Islamic terrorists generally employ tactics involving squad level or individuals. They are not organised for high level operations.
9 comments:
There are several different 'followings*' of Islam in the middle east and with that different 'following*' could possibly be cause of them being different and extreme(?)...
To me the Russians were better terrorists during their time.
*I am really knowledgeable on that one..
Perhaps this link can interest you? He's a 'security guru' who announced a 'movie plot threat' contest.
Amendment: * I am NOT really knowledgeable on that one.. *haiyah! slaps forehead*
Yes, I am aware of those who choose to follow Wahhabism in certain areas in the Middle East. And of course, Sufism. Similarly, like everyone else, I am aware of the origins of the Sunnis and the Shiites.
The Russians made use of proxies during the Cold War (likewise the Free World) and their proxies did include Syria, Libya, PLO, Egypt, and many other nations. Indoesnia had even received a powerful heavy cruiser from the USSR then! Of course, there are myriad reasons why some nations choose to embrace a nation with such a hostile opposing ideology like Communism (anti-religion, etc). One of that was nationalism coupled with anti-imperialism and colonist sentiments.
In case, anyone forgets, the 1960s and 1970s were a lot more rampamt with terrorism. Bombings, hijackings, assassinations and more. Besides Islamic terror is not new. And it will not go away. In the 1900s, Sudan was gripped by a Jihad led by a Mahdi. At least 25% or so of the whole population became fanatic, took up arms but they were eliminated at Omdurman.
During the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, he was also plagued by Islamic fanatics. He had to postponed a few invasions of Europe to put down the insurrections with sword and fire. He massacred them....
There are countless more examples.
Can you put the link up again? I can't get to the site.
I think this moderate Muslim woman is making strides. She is angering the fundamentalists.
http://www.muslim-refusenik.com/
She proposes interesting points. And the war on Islamic terror can be won if moderates speak out against extremism.
When you refer to "fickle public opinion" are you referring to the American public or the Iraqi public. I know your whip smart, but this got my hackles up. I think the reason the US public is "fickle" is we were sold a bunch of half truths and out right lies to support this war. While at the same time Bush Co did not prosecute the war in Afghanistan to its fullest and allowed UBL and many of his backward ass followers too escape.
When we went into Iraq we did nothing but help Bin Laden. His recruitment probably went thru the roof.
Not to mention all the new Iraqi enemies we have created . And now our military is stretched to the breaking point. The brilliant minds in Washington have lowered standards for recruits so now we will have a dumber army. Instead of instituting a draft. No we can’t have that, We can’t have rich kids go off to die. OK I will get off my soap box now.
Regarding Afghanistan, I doubt if the 'fullest support' would have resulted in them nabbing these shadowy characters. I think that is simply a line trumpeted and used by many without qualification. It's political. The mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan are vast, simply impossible. A manhunt in such a region? Good luck. If they were to eventually get them, it would be through betrayal or luck. Pessimistic? No, just realistic. He may never be caught... perhaps in a decade or two, like Carlos the Jackal.
Regarding Iraq, I think the planners should have told the public that the occupation and rebuilding would take at least a decade realistically. The occupation of Germany and Japan after the Second World War serve as a good indicator. To expect pacification and rebuilding within a year or so is simply unrealistic.
Either go in for the long haul or invade, remove Saddam and leave. However, in the first place, I doubt if the public can accept the long haul option, having a short-attention span. (and of course, a biased hostile media...)
Regarding lies and half-lies, there were reasonable grounds to suspect WMD including that of purchase of high technology German technical equipment, Saddam's behaviour, etc. These were due to a variety of factors including the earlier intelligence failures with regard to the invasion of Kuwait. Subsequently, there was a creed where it was better to err and overestimate than underestimate. 'Better not to take the chance.' Yes, the publicity and public relations side weren't up to par and mismanaged the PR campaign.
I think that the underlying threat of Islamic extremism is still there. I see Iraq and Afghanistan as necessary first steps. I think a larger co-ordinated plan is needed. Something that is not piecemeal like Iraq and Afghanistan.
If it were you, what would you do to stem out the Islamic threat?
The campaign in Afghanistan was necessary to break the power of the Taliban which were festering and breeding grounds for extremists. In that, they succeeded. However, the Islamic schools in Pakistan, teaching a form of fundamentalist creed are still there.
Doubtless, there are more throughout the world including the UK, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia and so forth...
here's the link:
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/04/announcing_movi.html
and my oh my you know so much on the islamic path and following... salute!
Thanks for the link.
Ari, I don't but I'm reading. And I'm making an effort to read more.
I have presently got several unread books on the Ottoman Turks, one on the Islamic World (which I bought a few weeks ago), one on the history of the Arab people, one on the military structure of the Ottoman Turks in the later centuries, one Turkish novel of life and growing up in Istanbul. And that one on combating Islamic terror (the one up there).
There are probably a few more lying around somewhere.
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