The problem of violent Islamic fundamentalism is bringing the
world together in a way the world has not been brought together
since World War II. Ironic, isn’t it?
Violent Islamic fundamentalism is a problem facing the world —
not just the United States. In just about any conflict you find in
the world, there is an Islamic fundamentalist on the other side:
India, China, Russia, Italy, France, Turkey, Australia, the Middle
East, Southeast Asia and the United States, to name a few.
Countries have begun to cooperate on a level not seen since
World War II because of a need to curb terrorism both abroad and
within their respective borders despite all the differences between
them. For example, due to the recent terrorist strike against
synagogues in Turkey, the Israeli government is working closely
with the Turkish government to bring to justice the people
responsible for this act. These terrorist strikes have a
predominantly Jewish government working side-by-side with a
predominantly Islamic government. Israel has dispatched aid workers
to help with the victims as well as intelligence agents to help
probe the incident.
The last time the United States, Russia and China all had the
same problem was 50 years ago during World War II. After years of
post-war hostility and despite their recent differences over Iraq,
all three nations are now dealing with the Islamic militancy and
terrorism originating in South Asia. The three former foes have
found common ground in the need to stop these militant groups,
which have caused problems and taken civilian lives of each
country. Old foes now have the same enemy. Islamic uprisings and
terrorist strikes on civilians have plagued the entire world.
Aside from bringing governments of the world together, terrorism
has sped up or brought to light other issues that needed to be
dealt with. Governments are more aware of and responsible toward
the nuclear, biological, chemical and military stockpiles. Security
over these weapons has increased significantly. Airline security
has tightened. The transition to fuel cells and micro-electricity
has quickened due to the vulnerability in power grids.
The unity being forged to combat militant groups works counter
the aims of terrorists. By targeting Jewish and Western targets,
they hope to isolate and alienate Israel, the United States and
their allies from the rest of the world. By blowing up an embassy,
they attempt to punish the local government for allying with Israel
or the United States. However, governments aren’t foolish. They
realize that to give in to intimidation and terrorism would only
prompt more of it. Eventually that terrorism and intimidation would
turn on the government itself in an attempt to overthrow it.
Countries are capable of unprecedented cooperation in the face
of ruthless enemies. Just as the fight against fascism profoundly
altered global ties between otherwise indifferent governments, the
fight against terrorism will bring many more states to cooperate
out of necessity. It was easier against the Nazis, however, because
they had a country and targets to strike. These violent Islamic
terrorist groups are a hidden enemy, thus making the cooperation of
intelligence agencies and security all the more necessary.
Even so, the similarities between the Nazis and these terrorist
groups are frightening. Both want the eradication of the Jews. Both
want to take over the entire world and install dictatorships
everywhere they can. Both find themselves to be superior to the
rest of the world. Most importantly, though, is that both the Nazis
and these violent Islamic terrorists are driven by hatred. Peace
with the Nazis was not possible because it would defeat the purpose
fueling them. The same holds true for groups like al Queda and
Hamas. Their existence is based upon having an enemy to hate and to
kill. Take that away and they will have no reason to exist.
This zealous, hateful nature of violent Islamic groups is
exactly why the countries of the world are cooperating to combat
these groups — an enemy this ruthless will stop at nothing. They
do not even value their own lives, so how could they possibly hold
anything back in their fight against everyone else? Kidnapping,
torturing, executing, bombing — it doesn’t matter. They target
civilians, an act which has been deemed internationally illegal and
denounced as a war crime. The unprecedented hatred has provoked an
unprecedented response to eliminate it.
Bobak Roshan ([email protected]) is a senior majoring
in international relations and political science.