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Even though Terrorism is a complex and nuanced subject, it can be encapsulated within one Arabic proverb.

"The enemy of my enemy is also my friend; the friend of my enemy is also my enemy."

For Islamic extremists, the United States are a scapegoat for political, economic and social ills. For them, America is a nation of infidels, filled with pornography, homosexuality, feminism and personal expression.

Terrorists believe that they act out of civic defense and religious loyalty. But, how can they justify their actions? It seems immature to try to accomplish a political goal by threatening a civilian population.

America's allies are at war with Muslim nations. Many Islamic nations view Israel as a non-negotiable enemy. The violence between Palestine and Israel occurs daily, if not by the hour. (See above proverb.)

How did this all happen? How did we get in this pickle? It started after World War II.

Cold-War Intelligence efforts had unfortunate effects in many Islamic countries. The CIA's involvement in the middle-east in the 1950's was largely to combat the expansion of Communism. An example of this is the 1953 overthrow of the Iranian government.

Fearing that Iran would come under the influence of Communism, President Eisenhower authorized a covert operation to replace Mohammad Mossadegh with pro-US dictator Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Reza is an autocratic totalitarian dictator and a corrupt leader. (1)

In response, Islamic theocrats overthrow Reza's government in 1979, and Iran blames the United States for the years of Reza's evil dictatorship. Not to mention the Iran-Iraq War that followed. (Again, see above proverb.)

These are just the political reasons; cultural reasons abound, also. America is a free country where church and state are separate. With Islamic extremism, CHURCH IS NOT SEPARATE FROM STATE.

Americans generally tolerate gays, government criticism, pornography, sex, and feminism. In some interpretations, the Qu'ran absolute forbids these practices. Therefore, according to the extremists, American culture is UNHOLY. The terrorists target America because, (as Islam interpreted by extremists) God compels them. When Bin Laden appears to make a speech, he regularly mentions a higher power. (2)

Terrorism is a complex issue; people devote careers studying it. Terrorist experts must learn why the terrorists revile America as a political and economic scapegoat, how to combat the extreme religious intolerance, and how to maintain a diplomatic presence with countries that are at odds with Muslim nations. Terrorist experts must also re-frame the concept of Islam itself; because, obviously, as Rahman al-Rashed says "not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslim." (3)

The compelling question for America, as well as extreme Islam, is "Can the friend of my enemy also be my friend?"

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(1) http://www.nytimes.com/library /world/mideast/041600iran-cia- index.html

(2) http://www.signonsandiego.com/ news/nation/terror/20041029-14 23-binladentape.html

(3) http://www.worldpress.org/Mide ast/1941.cfm

Learn more about this author, Aster C. Lilly.
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