Don't be a Sucker...

And, not surprisingly, Yemen is back in the news after a new threat has emerged about a plot to mail explosives to the US. Also not surprisingly, the new threat has signs of affiliation with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Even more disturbing, it looks as though Americans are assisting in this sinister endeavor and recruitment for Al Qaeda in the US is on the rise. What, then, is America to do with this named 'hot bed' of terrorism about the size of Texas?

To make such decisions it is prudent to remember the context and history of much of this situation instead regarding it with usual American wounded innocence every time someone acts like they don't like us. Who could hate America? Why do they hate us? It's just another bunch of crazy, psychotic terrorists right?

Let's back up for a second. The word terrorist can be problematic in many ways, especially the 'Islamic extremist terrorist.' The definition of terrorist is a relative one. This is not a new concept. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter or so the saying goes. These days, when we use the word terrorist, it seems to automatically assume that the individual or organization in question is simply evil, irrational, and obsessed with only a fundamentalist ideology. While I am not contesting the immorality of Al Qaeda's actions, I do find it disturbing that our assumptions and perceptions rob us of the perspective that terrorists are, in fact, not irrational. Many of them are well educated, well aware of US strategy, culture and politics, and are pursuing an objective that will include tactics based on how they expect the US to react. There are rational reasons and calculations behind the face of terrorism.

This whole situation reminds me of that Carly Simon song that was well before my time...

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

Isn't strategy 101 about knowing your enemy? What was one of Al Qaeda's primary goals in September 11th? What is Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's goal? Is it all about the destruction of America or even Israel? NO! Their goals are about the overthrow of local secular Arab governments. The intention is to get the Arab (and others) world to identify itself as a Muslim world. It is about power in the region. What is the best way to get a group characterized by plurality and multiplicity to unite? A common enemy. By being able to construe American military action in the Middle East as a battle against Islam, an overwhelming population begins to believe itself as under this type of threat. America's perceived negative involvement in the Middle East adds fuel to the ideology...not to mention draining already damaged economic assets. There is more to power than sheer force.

I won't even go into why such groups have found themselves in Yemen or why they have so much power in the first place...I just hope the US doesn't get played for suckers.