The most important paragraph in the August NIE, and a challenge to Bush

[grytpype]

From the April NIE:

Four underlying factors are fueling the spread of the jihadist movement: (1) Entrenched grievances, such as corruption, injustice, and fear of Western domination, leading to anger, humiliation, and a sense of powerlessness; (2) the Iraq jihad; (3) the slow pace of real and sustained economic, social, and political reforms in many Muslim majority nations; and (4) pervasive anti-US sentiment among most Muslims, all of which jihadists exploit."

Three points.

1. Notice what's not on the list? State sponsorship of terrorism. But Bush's whole anti-terror policy is based on destabilizing and attacking states that are -- or imaginably might be -- sponsoring terrorism. Seems to be the wrong call according to the NIE.

2. While everyone is focused on Iraq right now, what about the other three factors? What is Bush doing to address entrenched grievances in the Muslim world, including the fear of Western domination, leading to anger, humiliation, and resentment? Where is his plan to encourage economic, social, and political reforms in Muslim nations? How will he diminish anti-US sentiment?

It's hard to see how we can make progress on any of those factors under Bush's leadership. His only plan is to attack any perceived state sponsors of terrorism, which brings me to point 3.

3. At first glance, Iraq appears to be only one of four different factors, but read closely. Iraq is a prime reason for anger, humiliation, and Western domination in the Muslim world. And under Bush, Iraq has become a corrupt and failed state in the midst of a brutal civil war, with no electricity or health services -- a dreadful failure in the economic, social, and political dimension. And of course, Iraq is a prime cause of anti-American sentiment, which has deepened all across the world, even in our allies.

The Administration should be challenged to explain how the Iraq war is helping to defeat terrorism in light of the NIE findings.

[yurbud]

1. 1 and 3 are closely related