A FORCE MORE POWERFUL: CONFRONTING TERRORISM NONVIOLENTLY
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To prevent terrorism now and in the future, we need to turn to nonviolent measures that do not perpetuate the problem. Such measures exit and they are viable. Let's talk.
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A FORCE MORE POWERFUL: CONFRONTING TERRORISM NONVIOLENTLY
- 1. A Force More Powerful Peaceful Prevention of Deadly Conflict
- 2. Welcome Picasso, Les Mains Liées
- 4. Reflecting on our experience of the world after 911
- 5. Sharing our experiences of the post-911 world
- 6. Knowing our enemy: Al-Qaeda
- 8. Founded by Osama bin Laden in 1988. Current leader: Aymanal-Zawahiri
- 9. Has always been a stateless and highly decentralized
- 10. Bin Laden received a lot of support from U.S. when Afghanistan was being invaded by former Soviet Union in 1980’s
- 11. Supported also by Taliban in Afghanistan (Taliban is not synonymous with al-Qaeda)
- 15. term jihad - Muslims use the word to refer to three types of struggle: an internal struggle to maintain faith, the struggle to improve the Muslim society, or the struggle to defend Islam.
- 17. What nonviolent measures can be taken on a macro (national, international level)?
- 18. What can be done on a micro level = what can I do as an individual?
- 20. Resources Ira Chernus. American Nonviolence: The History of an Idea http://spot.colorado.edu/~chernus/NonviolenceBook/
Notas del editor
- Welcome. To set the mood for today’s forum, here’s a drawing by Pablo Picasso, Les Mains Liées, literally, Joined Hands -- The hands joined in solidarity form a sort of protective frame for the dove, symbol of peace.The horrific 911 attacks took place ten years ago today. Since that tragic date in 2001, terrorism seems to have become an everyday topic. Hardly a day goes by without the report of a terroristic act occurring somewhere in the world or of a nation state’s attempt to stamp out terror. If you are among those who lost loved ones either in the 911 attacks or in connection with any ensuing military action, we extend to you our heartfelt condolences. If you have friends or loved ones currently serving in the armed forces and stationed in any area of conflict, we offer our prayers for their safety and we offer you our support as you wait for their return. Today we would like to reflect on and talk about the world as we have experienced it since 9/11/2001, those persons and groups identified as enemies, and how our nation (as well as others) has responded to the threat of terrorism.We will also brainstorm for possible nonviolent responses to terrorism. We are aware that the issues are complex, and we are not here to offer easy answers. We do wish, however, to provide a safe space for considering options that get little discussion time in the mass media or political arenas. It is to be expected that differing –even diametrically opposed—views may be expressed this forum. We ask that all participants be permitted to express their opinions without judgment, criticism, or contentiousness.
- Show 30-sec YouTube clip of planes colliding with Twin Towers on 9/11/2011.
- Take a few moments to write down your thoughts in response to the questions on the handout. As we progress through sections of today’s workshop we will share our responses.What (if anything) has anything changed for you personally as a result of 911?What changes have you perceived in the world in which you live? Do you feel that human beings are essentially violent by nature?What was your understanding of al Qaeda right after 911? Has your understanding of this organization changed since then? Can you define terrorism? How is it different from an everyday violent crime, such as a murder or an assault? How is it different from conventional warfare? What do you think motivates persons or groups to commit terroristic acts? What do you think of when you hear the term “War on Terror”? What strategies have been used by our nation and our allies since 911? What have been the outcomes?
- Ask members of the audience to share their answers to the first 3 questions:What (if anything) has anything changed for you personally as a result of 911?What changes have you perceived in the world in which you live? Do you feel that human beings are essentially violent by nature?
- Ask members of the audience to share their answer to:What was your understanding of al Qaeda right after 911? Has your understanding of this organization changed since then?
- Al-Qaeda means “The Base”Our government actually encouraged Saudi Arabia and other Arab states to gather religiously motivated forces to fight the “godless communists” in Afghanistan. The United States wanted Arab states, on our behalf, to organize a holy war against Soviet troops.In addition to the al-Qaeda cells throughout the world, so-called “home-grown” terrorist cells, intending to emulate al-Qaeda, have sprung up. The 2004 attack in Madrid and the 2005 attack in London were carried out by terrorists with no connection to al-Qaeda. These new cells of terrorists are far less competent than the terrorists trained by al-Qaeda, but also less predictable in terms of where and when they might attack. The network of al-Qaeda cells has been seriously disrupted since 2001. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates that “half of al-Qaeda’s 30 senior leaders and 2,000 rank-and-file members were killed or captured in the months after 9.11,” but there are thousands of al-Qaeda trained terrorists ready to take their places.
- Ask some members of the audience to share their answers to these questions:Can you define terrorism? How is it different from an everyday violent crime, such as a murder or an assault? How is it different from conventional warfare? What do you think motivates persons or groups to commit terroristic acts? Terrorism is the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes. (dictionary.com)the systematic use of violence as a means to intimidate or coerce societies or governments (Online Political Dictionary)
- The goals of these terrorists are apocalyptic and unlimited.These terrorists see their acts in terms of good versus evil, and they are willing to distort religious language to further their cause. The use of the word “jihad” is an example. Muslims use the word, jihad, to refer to three types of struggle: an internal struggle to maintain faith, the struggle to improve the Muslim society, or the struggle to defend Islam. The mass killing of innocent people to defend Islam is not a principle of the Muslim faith, and holding all Muslims responsible for the behavior of al-Qaeda is like holding all Christians responsible for those Christians who went to Uganda last year to support the hanging of homosexuals. .” As hard as it may be to accept this and to discuss the political grievances that lead some to commit barbaric acts, we must do so if we are to have any chance of winning the fight against terrorism. “The al-Qaeda political agenda is rooted in an extreme reaction to Western domination and local despotism,” Cortright and Lopez write. Al-Qaeda is a response to the humiliation and resentment felt by many in the Arab and Muslim world over the occupation of Arab countries by Western powers, and the support of Middle Eastern tyrants by Western Powers.
- .” As hard as it may be to accept this and to discuss the political grievances that lead some to commit barbaric acts, we must do so if we are to have any chance of winning the fight against terrorism. “The al-Qaeda political agenda is rooted in an extreme reaction to Western domination and local despotism,” Cortright and Lopez write. Al-Qaeda is a response to the humiliation and resentment felt by many in the Arab and Muslim world over the occupation of Arab countries by Western powers, and the support of Middle Eastern tyrants by Western Powers.
- Ask members of the audience to share their responses to the questions:What do you think of when you hear the term “War on Terror”? What strategies have been used by our nation and our allies since 911? What have been the outcomes?Distinguish between two groups: active terrorists, the hard-core militants, and those who support them, sympathize with them, and are possible enlistees into the hard-core group. Diminish the inner circle without motivating those on the outside to join the inner core. Separate the hard-core militants from their sympathizers, and this means taking a “political approach that addresses deeply felt grievances, promotes democratic governance, and supports sustainable economic development.”Not suggesting a policy of negotiating with hard-core militants, those whose aim is mass slaughter. Rather, “filling political vacuums with diplomatic activity to drive a wedge between the hard-core militants and their sympathizers, potential recruits.
- From FCNL booklet1. International Cooperation and the Rule of Law : Goal: Strengthen international law and multilateralcooperation to address global threats to peace and security.2. Preventive Diplomacy and Peace Operations: Goal: Enhance the international community’s capacity to preventthe escalation of conflict, effectively respond to emerging crises, and rebuild societies shattered by war and conflict.3. Arms Control and Disarmament: Goal: Reduce the spread of weapons of all kinds—nuclear, chemical, biological, as well as conventional weapons, smallarms, and light weapons.4. Human Rights and Good Governance - Goal: Strengthen human rights and promote good governance as foundations for stable, secure societies.5.Sustainable Development and Human Security - Goal: Address root causes of violent conflict by meeting basic human needs and promoting more equitable use of world resources.
- Ask members of the audience for ideas in response to question:How can I practice and promote peacefulness, both toward those I interact with everyday and toward the wider world? [for a group of Quakers: What peaceful practices flow from my Quaker faith, both toward those I interact with everyday and toward the wider world?]
- Fromhttp://peace.mennolink.org/resources/toorder/index.htmlCan be ordered from the