Letters: Apr. 19, 2004

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WHO IS THE ENEMY NOW?

"How can we counter the ever intensifying climate of terror? Not by military means. The war in Iraq is proof of that." ROBERT R. NEWELL Nellysford, Va.

In today's terror-struck world, war has evolved far beyond one nation fighting another [March 29]. Now a globally dispersed band of Islamist assassins, worshippers of death, blow themselves to bits along with as many innocent victims as possible. The civilized people of the world, regardless of nationality, must devise brand-new strategies for dealing with crazed terrorists. The U.S.'s unilateral actions seem only to be inflaming them. The U.N.'s practices of negotiation, inquiry, mediation and judicial settlement won't work against deranged extremists who hide behind religion, nor will sending troops to trouble spots. The U.N., our only global instrument of peace and sanity, must reinvent itself. ROBERT L. WOLKE Pittsburgh, Pa.

How can we counter the ever intensifying climate of terror? Not by military means. The war in Iraq is proof of that. Using armed force to retaliate, in fact, breeds more terrorists. Why not look at the real roots of this terrorism? The radical Islamists hate us because we are in their countries, owing to America's increasing need for oil. If the U.S. had a Department of Alternative Energy, we might someday be able to eliminate the Department of Homeland Security. ROBERT R. NEWELL Nellysford, Va.

Thousands of battle-hardened American men and women will emerge from the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq and be the better for their undertaking. Combat changes a person's perspective, priorities and motivation. After one experiences armed conflict, petty concerns that once seemed to be of the greatest importance can rightfully turn into mundane annoyances. Soon those brave Americans will come home and begin reshaping their country. Calling on past experiences, they will set aside trivial issues and do what is right for all Americans, not unlike the generation that fought in World War II. J. SCOTT BOWMAN Phoenix, Ariz.

Not understanding your enemy can lead to defeat. We will have little success in overcoming terrorists unless we better comprehend their motives. The Afghanistan war was a proper reaction to 9/11, but the Iraq invasion must have pleased Osama bin Laden, as it brought greater numbers to his side. The U.S. is not safer as a result of the Iraq war; we are in greater danger. Bin Laden's active followers may be a small minority of Arabs and Muslims, but a small minority of 1 billion people can still be a huge number. Our free and open society in the U.S. is very vulnerable. Our government's counterproductive, belligerent attitude must be changed one way or another. JOSEPH C. GRASSO Toledo, Ohio