THE WAR on Iraq will create more terrorists. I know, you have heard it before and it's just bleeding-heart liberal rhetoric. But with recent evidence of the growing anti-American sentiment, plus anecdotal evidence from Osama bin Laden and other Arabs, the claim seems to be dangerously true. Both sets of evidence reveal one common theme: a pre-emptive strike against Iraq will create much more anti-American sentiment than there is now across the globe, culminating in the creation of more terrorists.
Since Sept. 11, Americans have wondered why people would want to harm the United States in such a malicious, painful way. Books about the Middle East and Islam sold rapidly as people searched for answers. The radical terrorist groups do not simply hate us because "they hate our freedoms," as Bush claimed in an address to the Joint Session of Congress and the nation on Sept. 20, 2001. It is foolish to think the issue could be so black and white, and that we are dealing with irrational madmen whose only desire is to bring destruction upon western civilization.
Osama bin Laden is insane not because of his frustrations with the U.S. government, but because of his choice of action against the United States. Never has bin Laden denounced the Declaration of Independence, and as we fight the war on terror, America must always keep an eye to what motivates these terrorists.
A study by the University of Boston in October of 2002 interviewed middle-class high school students across the globe to discover the youth's impression of Americans. The children's opinions are important not only because they represent future generations' impressions of Americans, but also the education one receives reflects the prevailing adult opinion in a community.
The study revealed that across the globe, from South America to Asia, and from Europe to the Middle East, students, overall, have a negative impression of the United States. Not surprisingly, the three Middle East countries that participated in the study, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, had particularly negative responses to America. The number one complaint from Saudi Arabia is that "Americans like to dominate other people." Other gripes from students included that the United States is not peaceful and that Americans are inherently violent. Complaints in Bahrain were similar, while Pakistan had a more positive impression of Americans; their number one gripe was with Americans' proclivity to dominate other people.
Fundamental differences between Islam and the Western world caused some hostility (many countries' students' felt American women were sexually immoral), but many Arabs are simply frustrated with America's exploitation of its might. America can obviously not change the Arab world's opinion of our sexual morals, but America can prove to the world that it has no desire to dominate over other people.
There is no doubt attacking Iraq unilaterally will exacerbate Arabs' beliefs that Americans are violent and hawkish. Osama bin Laden constantly gripes about the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia; a constant presence of American troops in Iraq will only pour gasoline on bin Laden's fire.
Of course, negative sentiment alone does not create terrorists. The Boston University study shows that students within countries outside of the Middle East also have a strong disdain for Americans as well, including our ally Spain -- and clearly Spain does not breed terrorists.
Peaceful Arabs in Islamabad at Al Khair provide insight into the moderate Arab world. One such student, Nabil Ahmed, reports about the teachings of the Koran: "The Holy Prophet said that all Muslims are like one body, and if one part of the body gets injured, then all parts feel that pain" (The Christian Science Monitor, "Why do they Hate Us?" Sept. 27 2001).
Innocent Iraqis will die in Iraq, especially if Saddam Hussein forces an urban war in Baghdad. The Arab world will not simply blame Hussein; they will most likely place the blame on the United States, that decided to invade and conquer the Muslim country. The Arabs will feel the pain of their family and friends dying from American bombs, missiles and gun blasts. The deaths of innocent Iraqis will create a spark that will ignite disdain for Americans into hatred, and one interpretation of the Koran will lead some Arabs to "help" their fellow Muslims through terrorist actions. Osama bin Laden attacks American civilians, and Americans are certainly not ashamed of their hatred of him. When Bush kills innocent Iraqis, despite his intentions, most of the Arab world will grow to despise him and his policies.
The threat is real -- Bush himself admitted we are most vulnerable to terrorist threats -- and we must acknowledge the prevailing opinion in the Arab world that Americans are war-mongering, violent people.
The threat of creating new terrorists requires that the United States does not act unilaterally in Iraq. Hussein cannot hurt us through missiles or other attacks on our homeland; the threat from Hussein comes from his capability to provide weapons for terrorists. After Sept. 11, America must use new methods to protect its people. Bush claims it is through preemptive strikes against "evil" leaders. The method that will save the most lives, both in the Middle East and at home, is through diplomacy. America, despite all its capabilities, must checks its power to demonstrate to the Arab world that we truly are peace-loving. Each innocent Iraqi that dies creates another potential terrorist. America cannot take that risk.
(Patrick Harvey is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. He can be reached at pharvey@cavalierdaily.com)
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