New American Security Project Report: US Not Winning the “War on Terror”
September 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10. 2008
CONTACT:
Selena Shilad
(202) 550-2547
New American Security Project Report: US Not Winning the “War on Terror”
Washington, DC – A new report released by the American Security Project today, based on ten objective and empirically-based measurements, shows that the United States is not winning the “war on terror.”
Authored by ASP Senior Fellow Dr. Bernard I. Finel, the report argues that while modest progress has been made on several fronts, the US effort continues to fall short. Of greatest concern, terrorist violence around the globe is at an all time high, and high-profile terrorist leaders such as Osama bin Laden remain at large.
“We have spent billions in the war on terror, and yet attacks by violent terrorist groups around the world are at an all time high, international cooperation on terrorism has stalled, and Pakistan, Afghanistan and East and North Africa remain hotbeds of terrorist activity. The Bush Administration’s approach may have been well-intentioned, but unfortunately it has failed. We need a new approach,” stated Finel.
The report also highlights the lack of public support for the United States in the Muslim world, even as support for terrorism and al Qaeda has diminished, the increasing institutionalization of ungoverned space on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and an explosion of jihadist violence in ungoverned Somalia.
Additional, specific findings include:
Jihadist Violence Around the Globe is at an All Time High
• The level of jihadist violence around the global has stabilized at historically high levels – even without counting attacks in Iraq.
• The United States remains tremendously unpopular in the Muslim world, even as support for terrorism and al Qaeda has diminished in public opinion polls.
State Sponsorship of Terrorism is at an All-time Low, But this is Not Where the True Issue Lies
• State sponsorship remains at historically low levels. Jihadist groups are increasingly financing their operations through drug trafficking and other criminal activities which are bypassing the complex system of financial controls established after 9/11.
Threats are Increasing in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Successful regional and bi-lateral efforts have curtailed the jihadist threat in Southeast Asia, but violence has spiked dramatically in Pakistan, East Africa, and North Africa.
• The increasing institutionalization of an ungoverned space on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is a major cause of concern as is the explosion of jihadist violence in ungoverned Somalia.
• Pakistan is now more aggressively pursuing negotiations with extremists and autonomy agreements with tribal leaders in hopes of defusing the growing insurgency in Pakistan. In addition, growing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border incursions make it seem likely that, rather than abating, the threat in this part of the world is increasing.
While Several Senior Al Qaeda Leaders Have Been Captured or Killed, Osama bin Laden is at Large
• Several senior leaders of jihadist organizations have been captured or killed over the past year, but those leaders who remain at large – including Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri – remain able to communicate with their followers worldwide.
The full text of the report can be downloaded by clicking here.
The American Security Project (ASP) is a non-profit, bi-partisan public policy research and education initiative dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security and foreign policy issues. It is organized around the belief that honest public discussion of national security requires an informed citizenry—one that understands the dangers and opportunities of the twenty-first century and the spectrum of available responses. ASP was formed to help Americans—from opinion leaders to the general public—understand how national security issues relate directly to them, and to explain challenges and threats in a way that spurs constructive action.
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