Intelligence Squared The Sunday Debate: The War on Terror was the right response to 9/11
Aug 22, 2021
In a fiery debate, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Colleen Graffy argue that the War on Terror was justified in response to 9/11, discussing the dire need to combat Al-Qaeda. Meanwhile, former French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner and former UK UN representative Jeremy Greenstock counter, questioning the long-term effectiveness and moral implications of military actions. The conversation delves into the unintended consequences of such strategies, the complexity of terrorism, and the critical role of civil society in fostering peace.
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Three Fronts of the War on Terror
- The War on Terror had three fronts: military, political, and socioeconomic.
- Overemphasis on military action, while neglecting political and socioeconomic aspects, hindered Al-Qaeda's defeat.
Al-Qaeda's Strategy
- Al-Qaeda aimed to create chaos in the Islamic world to advance their interpretation of Islam.
- They sought to provoke the U.S. into misjudgements, like the invasion of Iraq, which furthered their goals.
Bin Laden's Lament
- Recovered documents revealed Osama bin Laden's concern about drone strikes hindering Al-Qaeda's training and leadership.
- The Obama administration continued and even increased drone strikes, demonstrating their effectiveness.