Why do they hate us Major Sargent

Why do they hate us? Major Sargent

Old Center of the World

Islam vs West “The struggle between Islam and the West has now lasted fourteen centuries … Today much of the Muslim world is again seized by an intense - and violent - resentment of the West. . ” - Bernard Lewis, The Roots of Muslim Rage

Sense of History • Historically Well developed, with an oral tradition • Science, Medicine, Literature, Sailing, Astrology, Technology • Long Family lines

Perceived Mistakes and Past History • Crusades • Imperialism • Supporting Israel • Supporting Saddam Hussein • First Gulf War • Shah of Iran • Leaving Lebanon • Leaving Somalia • Abandoning Afghanistan after the USSR left • Invading Iraq Again • Allowing Israel's nuclear program, but not Iran’s

Christian Terrorism • For people of the Middle East, it begins with the Crusades. . . “Kill them all, the Lord will know his own. ” --Response of papal legate Arnald Amalric to his soldiers, when asked how the attacking Crusaders should know the difference between the Catholic population of a besieged city and the infidels once the slaughter got underway.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

1920 s - 1930 s Zionism and Palestinian - 1917 Balfour Declaration - “establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. ” And…. independent Palestine - British Mandate Arthur Balfour British Foreign Secretary Palestine 1947

WWII- Holocaust -6 million Jews killed -Millions spread out -Homeless -No place to go -Why not the ancient homeland? With Allied/US support

1948: War of Independence - British leave, Israel declared state & Civil War ensues - Arabs Refugees - Israel’s Existence: rallying point of ME terrorism

The Birth of the State of Israel: Rallying Point for Middle Eastern Terrorists - Tool of Modern Crusaders - Affront to Islam - Early Arab-Jewish Conflict: Legacy of Terror (1917 -Present)

Cultural Bully • English –New world language • Replace Arabic? • Computers • Coke/Blue-Jeans • Mc. Donalds

Cultural Bully • Rich • Imperialism

Cultural Bully • Movies • American culture influences their children

Moral Superiority • There are very few tolerances • Church and state are often combined

1980’s: Lebanon and Iran - Khomeini & Revolution - Iran’s State-Sponsored Terrorism & Militant Islam - Lebanese Shi’a Terrorism -- US Hostages -- Targeting of U. S. personnel/interests Ayatollah Khomeini

Iran • Hope for Future? President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has described the Holocaust as “a myth”” Called for Israel to be “wiped off the map” American Hostage 1979

State Sponsored Terrorism in the Middle East “These governments support international terrorism either by engaging in terrorist activity themselves or by providing arms, training, safehaven, diplomatic facilities, financial backing, logistics and/or other support to terrorists. ” - U. S. Dept of State

The Religious Imperative? “We are not fighting so that the enemy recognizes us and offers us something. We are fighting to wipe out the enemy. ” Shi’a Hussein Mussawi

Inside The Jihadi Mind Religious/Sociological Outlook Religious Motivation • Ultimate Justice • Fatalism: Guaranteed Victory (on earth) • Guarantee of “Heaven” Sociological Values • Oppressed = Good • Good = Assured Victory • Victory = “Heaven” How Do These Motivations And Values Impact On The Operational Environment?

Inside The Jihadi Mind The Motivation of the Individual Jihadi • Various and Complex - Nothing to Lose - Religious Duty - Only Guarantee of Paradise The Brutal Present The Idyllic Future

David and Golith • Everyone likes the underdog • Respect for standing up to the bully • Can’t win? Doesn’t matter • The idea that “We have nothing to lose”

Who is a Terrorist? “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” President Ronald Reagan

Questions

BREAK!!!!