Zarqawi Suckered/Technological Compression as policy Super-Glue
Z-Man’s been suckered. Z-Man is the troops’ nickname for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Al Qaeda’s jefe in Iraq. Z-Man has declared a “fierce war” on democracy. Z’s taken Bush’s bait– except the Presiden’ts “bait” of promoting democracy and declaring war on tyranny and 0ppression isn’t mere bait, it’s essential American values. The ideological dimensions of the War on Terror (The Millenniumn War) were there from the get-go, but the Presiden’t inaugural address has focused them. That’s a huge step, I think, to obtaining the kind of resilient victory and secure peace the American people deserve.
My first “it’s a fight for the future” column ran in November 2001. (The link will take you to a StrategyPage archive.) Here’s a key thought from that column: “In soundbite format, the strategic collision between Bin Laden-type extremists and America may well be one of “imperial restorationist” versus “liberating reform.”
Yup– a week before the Iraqi election Zarqawi has come out in public for imperialism, in his case Islamo-fascist imperialism.
The media and blogosphere have been focusing on the philosophical and theoretical elements of Bush’s speech and America’s “democracy on the offensive” strategy. But the strategy seeks to address a very concrete issue: “technological compression.” Technological compression is a fact of 21st century existence–and it is the superglue bonding American foreign policy idealism and foreign policy pragmatism. I think my Weekly Standard article of January 3, 2005 frames it accurately: “Technology has compressed the planet, with positive effects in communication, trade, and transportation; with horrifyingly negative effects in weaponry. Decades ago, radio, phone cables on the seabed, long-range aircraft, and then nuclear weapons shrunk the oceans. September 11 demonstrated that religious killers could turn domestic jumbo jets into strategic bombers–and the oceans were no obstacles. “Technological compression” is a fact; it cannot be reversed. To deny it or ignore it has deadly consequences.” (See The Millennium War.)
The Hell Formula For The 21st Century comes at the issue from another angle. “Sept. 11 made it impossible to tolerate the wicked linkage of terrorists, rogue states and weapons of mass destruction. Terrorists plus rogue states plus WMD — that’s the formula for hell in the 21st century.”
Here are a few snippets from an AP wire story on Zarqawi’s anti-democratic diatribe: “We have declared a fierce war on this evil principle of democracy and those who follow this wrong ideology…Anyone who tries to help set up this system (ie, democracy in Iraq) is part of it…” As the AP release explains, Zarqawi is threatening Iraqi candidates and everyone who votes in Iraq.
For the moment the AP story can be found at AT&T’s website. I’ll find a more permanent link later.
UPDATE: Roger L Simon posted on Zarqawi, and linked to this article from The London Telegraph.
UPDATE 2: More discussion over at Iraq the Model.
UPDATE 3: Thanks for the links from Instapundit , powerline, and realclearpolitics . The RCP evening headline link is particularly rich. It reads “Zarqawi Declares “Fierce War” on Iraqi Democracy” –and then “Zarqawi Suckered.”
UPDATE 4: “Friends of Democracy” (an Iraqi blog) has extensive comments on Zarqawi’s statement.
ONE MORE: Emailing — please see the “E-mail” post on the main blog page about how to email me– drop me a note via Creators Syndicate’s creators.com site. As to the comment, it “looks like there might be a plan,” follow this link to “Know Your Enemy”, a column of mine dating from late January 2003. As far as I can tell it’s one of the first public airings of “Iraq as a strategic trap for terrorists.” I know some in the blogosphere started calling this “the fly-paper strategy” in April or May 2003.
A few key thoughts from that column: “If you know your enemy, the strategic challenge is to use that knowledge to force him to fight on your terms. It’s even better if that fight on your terms is a fight he cannot refuse. ”
“Strategy is always about applying one’s own strength to an opponent’s weakness. Al Qaeda’s historical pattern is to wait patiently, for years if necessary, and carefully prepare a terror operation until it’s certain of success. Prior to 9-11, with little pressure on its hidden network (succored by the Taliban, Wahhabi petro-dollars and, yes, Iraq), Al Qaeda could take its time to spring a vicious surprise attack — surprise and visionary viciousness being its strengths and the gist of its “asymmetric” challenge to America’s “symmetric” power. “Fear us, America,” was the message, “because Al Qaeda chooses the time and place of battle, and when we do you are defenseless.”
“…Which leads to the subject of decisive U.S. military action against Iraq and its role in defeating Al Qaeda. ”
“The massive American build-up around Iraq serves as a baited trap that Al Qaeda cannot ignore. Failure to react to the pending American attack would demonstrate Al Qaeda’s impotence. For the sake of their own reputation (as well as any notion of divine sanction), Al Qaeda’s cadres must show CNN and Al Jazeera they are still capable of dramatic endeavor.”
This column ran in most of the newspapers that carry it. It was out there.
Z-Man has just made things a little easier for us in the PR war. By explicitly labeling his political acts as anti-democratic, he made enemies of all the Iraqis who may not like the US but certainly like their own freedom. This statement comes out at an opportune time, given the strong pro-freedom speech Bush just gave. Z-Man’s statement should be used to highlight our strategy: we are opposing Islamic fundamentalism with liberal democracy. It is not just a matter of killing or arresting terrorists (although that is very important) but to erode al Qaeda’s ability to recruit new terrorists and gain funding. Democracy in Iraq will offer a real alternative to radical Islam throughout the Arab world. If we can channel the energies of the discontented in the Arab world into pro-democracy movements inspired by democracy in Iraq then we win and al Qaeda withers away. That is why the Innaugural speech was so important. This speech reconnected and recommitted America and its policies to the highest ideals. I agree with you that Bush should have “ideologized” the war much earlier. This speech was an important statement of principles. It is astonishing that so many people on the Left are so cynical that they can no longer be moved by these ideals.
Comment by phil — 1/23/2005 @ 2:22 pm
I really am glad to see you pointing out the imperialist nature of islamofascism. I am constantly irritated by my communist friends who are stuck in the old vocabulary: US imperialism being the source of all problems in the world, yada yada. When in fact, it is the islamofascists who attacked us, an independent, democratic nation-state, in essentially a military attack on Sept. 11. Bin Laden essentially took over Afghanistan as his own personal base of operations. He had also done that in Sudan years before. And all islamofascists state openly their desire to take over as much territory of the world as possible and institute by force theocratic rule.
Comment by Daniela Dixon — 1/23/2005 @ 4:07 pm
please have Jill Abramson or Reuters contact Z-man and inform him Kelvin Ellis, E. St. Louis (IL)Democrat Party official is looking for additional hitmen in his ongoing troubles with voter fraud in E. St. Louis. Am sure Z-man can borrow the price of a 1-way plane ticket from Kofi Annan’s Oil for Palaces slush fund. Tom York, Newport Beach California
Comment by Tom York — 1/23/2005 @ 4:13 pm
But sadly, the people who will nod most vigorously in agreement with Zarqawi will be the prosperous racists of the Democratic Party, who assure us the wretched brown folk of Iraq are not ready for and do not want democracy…
Comment by richard mcenroe — 1/23/2005 @ 4:49 pm
It’s worth remembering that the Z-Man is one of those people Michael Moore has compared to the minutemen and whose victory he craves.
Comment by Alex Bensky — 1/23/2005 @ 5:06 pm
I certainly agree with the term “technological compression” of the globe but what I find most interesting about the Left is fatal jump form skepticism to total cynicism which is poisonous. A little skepticism is OK and even healthy but cynicism is destructive to the mind and the chaos within the Democratic party is evidence of just how destructive it has become. Frank McMillne Chapel Hill NC
Comment by Frank McMillen — 1/23/2005 @ 5:19 pm
Zarqawi doesn’t deserve to be called ‘Z-man’. ‘Z-turd’ describes him better.
Comment by fooltomery — 1/23/2005 @ 5:25 pm
It has come down to reductionist terms of good vs evil…..in Iraq will good triumph over evil? I think it is significant that Zargawi has chosen to make a public declaration against democracy by calling it evil……in so doing he has stepped out from behind the cloak of religion and made it political. I think it is a step he will regret because all Muslims can reject a political movement whereas they might not reject a religious movement. Frank McMillen Chapel Hill
Comment by Frank McMillen — 1/23/2005 @ 5:35 pm
Z has committed the error of arguing against Mom, apple pie and the flag. Bush is billiant in framing the argument in this manner. Time for the Democrats to wake up or they will place themselves on the wrong side of this argument.
Comment by richard — 1/23/2005 @ 6:17 pm
I think a better nickname would be “Zackly.” Usage: He’s looks Zackly like the back-end of a camel.
Comment by Mike — 1/23/2005 @ 6:18 pm
Frank, Dead right brother. This cynicis is the outward veil, of an inner degradation so great, that it is now a sincere death wish. Skepticism can be normal, but this cynicism, this purposeless cynicism, is a sickness of the soul. There are those in our midst, not just defeatists, but MORBID defeatists, who are as sick as the terrorists. Both groups are utter degenerates. Marxism has failed, their god has fallen, and in their confusion they wander the world, oozing hatred and hostility for the west. It is as if they are keen on destroying America and the west, for prevailing in the cold war. So much venom, so much anger, mental fury, spiritual chaos, this is a sickness in the soul.
Comment by Dan M — 1/23/2005 @ 6:26 pm
By winning this war, we go a long way to breaking that cynicism, to breaking that spiritual sickness in our midst. Victory is not just a path to national security, but also to mental and moral health. The stakes of this war could not be higher. There are reasons that Holbrooks goes to have secret meeting with Kofi Anan, there are reasons the left is so keen to destroy America. I think it was Hanson who called them “sick pups,” and he has a phd.
Comment by Dan M — 1/23/2005 @ 6:30 pm
“Z-Man” is the name of a character in that profound classic, “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.”
Comment by Alan Furman — 1/23/2005 @ 6:56 pm
Dan M - I’ve not heard it put that way but what you say explains a lot of global dysfunction.
Comment by Ink Slinger — 1/23/2005 @ 7:29 pm
I will watch with interest any comments from the Moores, Pelosis, etc., of our country. Seems like the sides have lined up - Freedom for All vs. Democracy is Evil. Shouldn’t be a hard choice, should it? But I shan’t hold my breath waiting for Babs Streisand to post a thundering denunciation of all who are trying to stop the Iraqis from choosing freedom.
Comment by Major John — 1/23/2005 @ 9:12 pm
Dan M By Hanson, do you mean Victor Davis Hanson,the foremost conservative intellectual of the day? I try to read everything he writes……he is one clear thinking college professor. He fully understands the implications of the Islamic fascist movement and that we must win as you have said. Winning will go a long toward relieving the spiritual sickness caused by so much cynicism in our midst. One of the best known philosophers of the 19th century warned of Nihilism and in reality cynicism is but a short step to Nihilism which could lead us over the cliff of destruction from within. The mainstream media is pushing everyone in that direction in their frenzied quest to discredit and destroy Bush Now that he has gained more prestige and respect they are panicking…….if what he has proposed was voiced by a Democrat, the media would be gushing with praise and calling him the greatest statesman since Churchill. They instead are reduced to cynical cadavers of the walking dead. Walking dead men fail to inspire anyone……..they are to be pitied but not to the point where we should prevent them from walking over the cliff…..we just need to make certain they don’t take us with them.
Comment by Frank McMillen — 1/23/2005 @ 10:22 pm
“a fierce war on this evil principle of democracy and those who follow this wrong ideology…” Any comments from Michael Moore defending his Minuteman?
Comment by Chip Conway — 1/23/2005 @ 11:44 pm
There is some similarity between Zarqawi’s movement and the KLA in Kosovo (and if you believe Ivasov, a relationship). The democracy in Yugoslavia, however, was not perfect. The Democratic party used that “test” case in Yugoslavia to set a precedent for supporting an islamofascist movement fighting against a (flawed) democracy. They seem to highlight the imperfect situation in Iraq to lend support to Zarqawi’s movement in just the same way. It would appear that modern Democrats are really anti-democratic at their root. They do, in fact, support fascism much, much more than democracy. Moore’s brand of extreme leftism highlights who they lean toward - Chavez (hardly democratic) and Castro. The old-europe exceptions still puzzle me, though.
Comment by North Shore HI — 1/24/2005 @ 12:03 am
The Zell Miller’s have to take back the Democrat Party, it’s important to the well being of the Republic to have a more parties than just the Republicans. The Democrats have become a 5th column in this country for ever type of radical lunacy imaginable, how did this happen? First they were neocom’s and now they are rooting for the Islamiofacists. How did it come about the party of Truman and Kennedy become the doppelganger of Neville Chamberlain. The party is personified now by Boxer, “the Chappiquidick Kid”and a woman grown up on Height and Ashbury in San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi. Now Howard Dean might be the head of the DNC, have they opened the insane asylum and let the nuts out.
Comment by Ron — 1/24/2005 @ 8:50 am
I would feel better about this if Peggy Noonan hadn’t come down on the “skeptical of democracy” side.
Comment by blaster — 1/24/2005 @ 9:45 am
With Zarqawi’s recent statement of his “fierce war” against democracy coupled with Bush’s Freedom and Liberty speech on January 20th, a line has been drawn in the sand, and everyone else will have to decide once and for all which side they will be on: Freedom or tyranny?. It may very well come down to US soldiers engaging in firefights against Islamofascist thugs and Baathist die-hards near polling places in Iraq — US soldiers fighting and dying to protect the right to vote for Iraqis. And when that happens, what will members of the democratic party say? What will liberals and the left have to say about it? What will be the response of France and Germany?
Comment by Michael Cadrecha — 1/24/2005 @ 8:36 pm
Zarqawi stated “We have declared a fierce war on this evil principle of democracy and those who follow this wrong ideology”. In theory that should also place the Palestinians in the crosshairs since they recently engaged in the democratic election of their new President.
Comment by K. Ham — 1/25/2005 @ 9:13 am
Radio host Tammy Bruce made an interesting comment last night when she said that she believed Z is already captured, and that the CIA released Z’s “I hate freedom” speech, which nicely coincided with Dubya’s own “I love freedom” speech. It’s a nice idea, but I seriously doubt that has happened. I instead believe that our islamofacist target drones simply have made another blunder. Many political and strategic blunders on their part, much to the shagrin of the Leftists/Democrats who agree with the foundational core beliefs of facism, whether it be secular rule or theocratic…..facsim is facism is facism. Some people never learn from history, but I think we’d all be SHOCKED to learn just how many times history has repeated itself over the last 5 or 6 millenia.
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