`The word terrorism is now seen and heard everywhere. The media is propagating this word everywhere. Before the 911 incident, terrorism was already rampant. India and Pakistan were fighting over Kashmir. Israel and Palestinians have always been fighting with regards to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Yet, suddenly after the 911 incident, the crucial international issue at stake is to fight terrorism. Weird, isn't it?
There has been a link in many people's minds between Islam and terrorism. The current media is really a powerful medium, isn't it? Labeling terrorists as a mad bomber etc. Yes, Islam has been given a bad name, which is perhaps unfair to the religion.
Do you know that U.S. sells arms to Middle Eastern Countries? It makes billions from it. Besides that, it pumps billions in aid to Middle Eastern countries. And many of these countries are autocratic countries. And I suppose it just happens to be a coincidence that many of these Middle Eastern countries are predominantly Islamic in nature?
U.S. and Israel are also close allies. In fact, so close that U.S. has vetoed more United Nation anti-Israel human right policies than the combined vetos of the rest of the countries combined.
Another serious case of terrorism would be that between Indonesia and Australia. The Bali bombings coupled with the bombing of the Australian embassy in Indonesia has clearly pointed out that Australians are the targets of the attacks. Now, these two countries have always had a good relationship, with Australia playing a role in Indonesia gaining its independence. Australia was also the very first country that Indonesia signed a bilateral treaty with. Why the sudden change?
This can be attributed to Aceh. Australia's aid to Aceh was a guise in having a share of the rich gas fields there. For people who know Mandarin, there is a Chinese saying called "fishing in troubled waters". That was the situation back then.
Notice the link between U.S. and Australia? If you are thinking about energy resources, coupled with exploitation, you are not that far off. U.S.'s greatest fear is its shortage of oil for its big economy and it is very dependent on the Middle East for its oil. The situation between Indonesia and Australia has already been explained. So, with this conclusion, can you really blame U.S. and Australia?
Perhaps not. They are, after all, thinking of this weird term "national interest." Yet, for those who know economics, when the marginal cost of terrorism may be equivalent to that of the possible deficiency of energy resources coupled with a poor economy, which will you choose? Increase your guns or save your butter? Mind, I wouldn't like to be a politician.
The utopian situation would be to continue with the way things are while battling terrorism to a minimal. From politicians' viewpoints, that is. Yet, force can only do so much. And ultimately, it will lead to a downward spiral. You can kill and capture all the terrorists in the world. Yet, another will emerge, and another, and yet another. The long-term situation is to fine-tune foreign policies. And that, will take some doing.
A utopian outcome is not possible. Nevertheless, countries might at least try and reduce the current unfairness of the international arena to a bare minimum. U.S. is not only guilty of trying to secure energy resources and selling arms. It also supports certain governments to extend its sphere of influence. To list a recent much publicized example, notice Ukraine's elections. The result of the first Ukraine election outcome was actually not approved by the U.S. This act is in actual fact an invasion of sovereignty by the U.S. And this is just one of the many times that U.S. has done so.
The antagonism between Indonesia and Australia is also not so simple. Indonesia was particularly aggravated when Australia was among the most vehement critic of the human rights situation in East Timor, while refusing to send Australian troops there.
And you wonder why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore wants the cream of the crop there. Now, you know why. You can't afford to make any mistakes. And when there are so many alternative policies to consider, there are plenty of chances to make mistakes. And terrorists are not forgiving. The next thing you know, they will strike and bomb.
There has been a link in many people's minds between Islam and terrorism. The current media is really a powerful medium, isn't it? Labeling terrorists as a mad bomber etc. Yes, Islam has been given a bad name, which is perhaps unfair to the religion.
Do you know that U.S. sells arms to Middle Eastern Countries? It makes billions from it. Besides that, it pumps billions in aid to Middle Eastern countries. And many of these countries are autocratic countries. And I suppose it just happens to be a coincidence that many of these Middle Eastern countries are predominantly Islamic in nature?
U.S. and Israel are also close allies. In fact, so close that U.S. has vetoed more United Nation anti-Israel human right policies than the combined vetos of the rest of the countries combined.
Another serious case of terrorism would be that between Indonesia and Australia. The Bali bombings coupled with the bombing of the Australian embassy in Indonesia has clearly pointed out that Australians are the targets of the attacks. Now, these two countries have always had a good relationship, with Australia playing a role in Indonesia gaining its independence. Australia was also the very first country that Indonesia signed a bilateral treaty with. Why the sudden change?
This can be attributed to Aceh. Australia's aid to Aceh was a guise in having a share of the rich gas fields there. For people who know Mandarin, there is a Chinese saying called "fishing in troubled waters". That was the situation back then.
Notice the link between U.S. and Australia? If you are thinking about energy resources, coupled with exploitation, you are not that far off. U.S.'s greatest fear is its shortage of oil for its big economy and it is very dependent on the Middle East for its oil. The situation between Indonesia and Australia has already been explained. So, with this conclusion, can you really blame U.S. and Australia?
Perhaps not. They are, after all, thinking of this weird term "national interest." Yet, for those who know economics, when the marginal cost of terrorism may be equivalent to that of the possible deficiency of energy resources coupled with a poor economy, which will you choose? Increase your guns or save your butter? Mind, I wouldn't like to be a politician.
The utopian situation would be to continue with the way things are while battling terrorism to a minimal. From politicians' viewpoints, that is. Yet, force can only do so much. And ultimately, it will lead to a downward spiral. You can kill and capture all the terrorists in the world. Yet, another will emerge, and another, and yet another. The long-term situation is to fine-tune foreign policies. And that, will take some doing.
A utopian outcome is not possible. Nevertheless, countries might at least try and reduce the current unfairness of the international arena to a bare minimum. U.S. is not only guilty of trying to secure energy resources and selling arms. It also supports certain governments to extend its sphere of influence. To list a recent much publicized example, notice Ukraine's elections. The result of the first Ukraine election outcome was actually not approved by the U.S. This act is in actual fact an invasion of sovereignty by the U.S. And this is just one of the many times that U.S. has done so.
The antagonism between Indonesia and Australia is also not so simple. Indonesia was particularly aggravated when Australia was among the most vehement critic of the human rights situation in East Timor, while refusing to send Australian troops there.
And you wonder why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore wants the cream of the crop there. Now, you know why. You can't afford to make any mistakes. And when there are so many alternative policies to consider, there are plenty of chances to make mistakes. And terrorists are not forgiving. The next thing you know, they will strike and bomb.
|
Some of our content may be related to gambling.    |