Submitted by Steven Chaimberg(United States), May 3, 2002
Speaking as a citizen of a country that is the magnet for would-be terrorists from around the world (Canada), I can only hope that the United States does not slip back into complacency, and allow itself to get "sucker-punched" once again.
Radical Islamic terrorism presents a deadly threat, as its long-term goal is very simple, the conquest of non-Moslem countries. If it has to get there through terror, it seems that this approach is the preferred way to go. Israel is merely the first step in this march, and Americans should place little stock in pious calls from the Saudis, who, while calling for "peace in our time", at the same time continue to fund "martyrs" and have its ambassadors write poetry glorifying homicide bombers.
I am reminded of the remarks by Admiral Yamamoto, the architect of the attack on Pearl Harbor, who said "I fear that all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant, and fill it with a desire for vengeance."
Let us hope that the United States will not let its desire waiver, until the battle is won.
Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened for relevance, substance, and tone, and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome, but comments are rejected if scurrilous, off-topic, vulgar, ad hominem, or otherwise viewed as inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the Guidelines for Comments. For informational purposes, we identify countries from which comments are sent.