Military's Role in Addressing the Underlying Conditions of Terrorism (CSL Issue Paper, Volume 05-06, June 2006)

摘要

The success of the U.S. GWOT will ultimately turn on a sound, well- planned and adequately funded program to Counter Ideological Support to Terrorism. The center of gravity of this war is the people who provide the necessary safe havens, support and foot soldiers to terrorists. While some of these people are physically coerced, many do so because they do not respect or trust their governments. As the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections demonstrated, providing for the basic needs of the people wins their support and gains legitimacy and allegiance for the provider. The ungoverned spaces, failing states, or criminal transport routes through borderlands that are essential to terrorist programs cannot be mitigated by attacking terrorist leadership. Removing these key components of the terrorist network will require well coordinated state and regional Development efforts that address the basic needs of the people. The military element of power will rarely lead these efforts, but it can provide substantial and, in certain situations, invaluable support.