Scheuer: Al Qaeda & US Policy -1/6

Michael Scheuer - 20+ year veteran of the CIA and the former head of its Bin Laden unit - discusses in detail the impact of US policies in the Islamic world, the rise of Al Qaeda, the conceptual difficulty of US policy makers in "understanding" Islamic terrorism, and the woeful inadequacy of US terrorism preventive actions. The interview is part of "Conversations with History" series hosted by UC Berkeley.

PLEASE READ MY COMMENTS ON THE VIDEO BEFORE WATCHING.

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News & Politics

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[KashifHKhan]

PART IV:

Scheuer is correct that a new conceptual framework is required by US policy makers for understanding and dealing with the threat posed by Islamic terrorism. Most policy makes seemed locked in "Cold War" mindset and cannot appreciate the threat posed by non-state actors. Equally interesting are his observations that (a) US domestic political considerations preclude any change in foreign policy, and (b) for the first time in history, the West cannot release captured Islamic POWs.

-Kashif

[KashifHKhan]

PART III:

Given cultural and religious differences between Western and Islamic worlds, it is foolhardy for US to assume that it can remake Muslim nation states in its image. Scheuer illustrates the core problem by pointing out that Islam rejects a distinction between religion and state (while Western secularism demands it). Moreover, the US forgets that it took centuries to forge its culture and systems. How can a Muslim country be expected to shorten the learning period to a few years?

-Kashif

[KashifHKhan]

PART II:

That being said, key US policies such as (1) backing of Arab tyrannies (at the expense of representative systems), (2) unconditional support of Israel (despite territorial expansion and violence against Palestinians), (3) armed forces presence on Arabian Peninsula (site of holiest shrines in Islam), (4) attack and occupation of major Islamic countries (Iraq and Afghanistan), and (5) pressure on oil producers to keep prices low, creates serious resentment among Muslim masses.

-Kashif

[KashifHKhan]

PART I:

I agree with Scheuer's core assertions that: (a) US policies in Islamic countries are driving people to terrorism, and (b) the US cannot export its way of life to Islamic countries. This does not mean that the Muslim faith itself does not play any role in terrorism. The twin concepts of Jihad (ie. fight against infidel) and Shahadat (ie. martyrdom in the name of God) provide religious "cover". The chronic inability of Islam to adapt to the modern world is another major factor.

-Kashif

[MultiUniv3rsal]

I would call his career a failure, a lot of middle eastern 'issues' could've been solved by now if it weren't for this mindset.