by Sam Miller

Created on: June 24, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

The war on terrorism declared by former US President George W Bush following the the 9/11attacks in 2001 on America soil, came as a rude shock, and wake up call, that surprised most American who felt otherwise secure from the threats an external terrorist attack. Americans have since realized they were not so immune from the probablility of a terrorist attack taking place on American soil.

The need to protect the homeland from external aggression at the hands of the terrorists, informed the US policy to take the war to the terrorists before they have the opportunity to attack . The war against terrorism policy of the former Bush Administration led to the unfortuate invasion of Iraq, in a bid to get rid of Saddam Hussein, under the pretext that he had weapons of mass destruction.

The decision to invade Iraq had the full backing of its chief proponent, the then Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld. It has caused religious and sectarian violence amongst Sunni and Shite Muslims which has led to the loss of thousands of innocent lives. This policy blunder of the Bush Administration under the cloak of fighting a war against terrorism, has caused death, misery and pain to many innocent civilians and their families.

The overthrow of Taliban from power in Afghanistan after it was conclusively proved that Osama Bin Laden planned the 9/11 attacks against America from his sanctuary in Afghanistan, was the the right action to have taken in the circumstances. The Taliban were sympathetic, supported and used their soil to offer a sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden, providing him with bases for Al Queda to operate freely within the borders of Afghanistan.

The US has a right under International Law to go after the aggressor and launch attacks against those that offer shelter to them. This right they have perfectly exercised and are justified to have taken the actions they did. However, the actions taken in Somalia, bombing the militant camps, which the US claim offer sanctuary to Al Queda without conclusive proof to contrary, should not be allowed to continue because many innocent civilians have been killed in the process. Except there is evidence to show they are used as military camps, either to train Al Queda or as bases for their operations, it would not be proper bomb and destroy them.

The Obama Administration, in a bid pick up the pieces, would commence the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq in July. The Administration is left with no other option than to commence a tactical and quick withdrawal of US troops in Iraq. The damage the war has done to the battered image of America around the world is incalculable.

The war has cost American tax payers so much, which includes the irreplaceable lives of its troops, materials and billions of dollars, that it may take many years for Americans to recover; most especially now that it is has a global economic crisis right at its door! It is hoped that lessons have been learned and policy formulation would not be made emotionally or at the spur of the moment, but after careful thought and planning.

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