Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
Sorry, but this outlook - and it's widespread - betrays a woeful ignorance of history. It's fundamentally wrong on two fronts:
1) If foreign imperialism and meddling in itself gave rise to radical terrorism, why aren't we seeing terrorism in all the other destabilized parts of the world? Vietnam was colonized and brutally exploited for centuries, and less than 50 years ago being bombed into the stone age by Americans. Where are the Vietnamese jihadis blowing themselves up at restaurants and pop concerts? Or the Congolese terrorists? Or the Hondurans?
2) How does it explain that everywhere Islamic societies borders with non-Islamic societies we have radicalized violence? Not only in the Middle East, but in Nigeria, Chad, Kenya, India, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines? Why aren't the Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists in those regions blowing themselves up and slaughtering civilians?
There is a political dimension to this issue. But religion is the catalyst. And certain strains of Islam have proven remarkably effective agents for radicalization. Far more effective than any Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or secular ideology today.
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The Viet Cong used all kinds of terrorist tactics during the war including blowing up restaurants and markets. But they won. There is no reason for blowing people up anymore.
Africa is a terrible example too given the vast difference in armies in the region. You'd be nuts to challenge the Chadian army.