The Current Discussion: CIA Director Michael Hayden says al-Qaeda is more or less defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan. Should the Bush administration take credit? How much?
I do not think al-Qaeda is defeated in any way. Their battle has been more than successful: nowadays the whole world is in a mental state of fear. This is what they wanted. The fact that the biggest, best and most modern army in the entire world was only able to kill a couple of al-Qaeda leaders and destroy a few of their hidden places is not an achievement anyone should be proud of. This seems to be a fight between David and Goliath. I know the American military and a part of the public opinion wouldn’t hesitate to think that al-Qaeda is the gigantic monster and the U.S. troops represent David, the Jewish king. Personally, I am not sure.
I think the only thing the Bush administration should take credit for is a permanent peace in those countries where quite a number of U.S. soldiers have died and most likely will die in the future. I am all for giving them that credit as soon as possible. But, it may only be the next Administration that will get it, I guess.
Please e-mail PostGlobal if you'd like to receive an email notification when PostGlobal sends out a new question.
