I am amazed at the frequency of attacks which occur throughout the Middle East and elsewhere. In response to the recent bombing in Pakistan Deputy Spokesman for the Department of State, Tom Casey was quick (see the State Department website--http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2008/jan/99118.htm) to mark this particular incident as an act of terrorism reinforcing the idea that while terrorism is difficult to define we know it when we see it. An article regarding the bombing can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/world/asia/11pakistan.html?ref=world
Interestingly enough, very little was said regarding this during "act of terrorism" during the press briefing as it immediately moved on to another subject. Much more was said referring to Kenya and the conflict which started after the questioned election results and continues to unfold there. Apparently we've gotten to the point that terrorism is expected and, while tragic, inevitable. I personally don't want to live in such a world and do not consider terrorist attacks/ suicide bombings as unstoppable (however, there is no doubt that it is very difficult to stop)--Most of this is probably because I am an optimist. Of course the US State Department doesn't consider terrorism unpreventable, but there is clearly no surprise at the occurence, nor at the repeated suicide bombings in Pakistan and Iraq (insurgency or terrorism--you decide). You might think that such a method of attack would lead to a shortage of terrorists, but they keep coming.
No comments:
Post a Comment