Last year, Osama bin Laden issued this warning to the United States . He said: "I would like to tell you that the war is for you or for us to win. If we win it, it means your defeat and disgrace forever ..."The last line is a statement followed by a question:
Think about this for a moment. Al Qaeda knows the stakes and has issued a challenge. Now tell me, what message does it send that we are afraid to meet that challenge? What message are we sending to North Korea , Iran , Venezuela and other enemies of freedom around the world?
- If we abandon Iraq , regional stability will be jeopardized. Iraq will become a fertile breeding ground for radical Islamic terrorists. And without a central government or other stabilizing force, Iraq 's neighboring countries will be compelled to enter Iraq to protect their interests. The consequences will be devastating and could lead to a regional war.
- If we abandon Iraq , the instability--coupled with the damning image of another American retreat--will embolden Iran and Islamic militants and endanger Israel . Iran 's leaders and terrorists groups have made clear their intentions to "wipe Israel off the map." We would be leaving a staunch ally in the Middle East with nothing but chaos and instability separating them from their greatest enemy.
- If we abandon Iraq , those who seek weapons of mass destruction will know they have nothing more to fear from a fearful America . Neither Al Qaeda, North Korea nor Iran have given up their quest for weapons of mass destruction. If they know they are free to pursue these weapons--secure in the knowledge that America doesn't have the stomach to stop them--we will be leaving our children a vastly more dangerous world. During the Cold War we took some small comfort in the idea of mutually assured destruction----that the Soviet Union wouldn't attack us because we could retaliate with equal devastation. There is no such comfort in a world where terrorist gangs roam free.
It is the nature of our enemy to fight us wherever and whenever they can. Whether in Asia, Africa or elsewhere, Al Qaeda has supporters and sympathizers throughout the world. They have the ability to strike anywhere at any time with lethal force across the globe. Right now we're fighting them in Iraq . This battle is the most visible part of a global war--but it just one part. If we leave, they will follow us home. It's that simple. We cannot negotiate with them. We cannot reason with them. Our only option is to defeat them.
The world is watching. How will we respond?This is the heart of the matter if you ask me. And the title sums up the solution:
U.S. Needs Resolve, Not a ResolutionAt some point, someone is going to realize that we need to embrace the slogan uttered by the gallant captain in GalaxyQuest: "Never give up! Never surrender!"
Unfortunately, those of us who seek victory must defend against anti-war Democrats, but also White Flag Republicans like Rep. Steve LaTourette. Of course, as soon as this waste of time is wrapped up in the House tonight, action will move back to the World's Most Deliberative Body for another round of posturing in the US Senate.
The world is watching...
...Our enemies are watching...
How will we respond?
