The deaths of 16 Afghan villagers was a tragedy. That it allegedly occurred at the hands of an American soldier is unfortunate.
Sad things happen in war, and military doctors and judge advocate office investigators will sort through the reasons why.
Still, the disturbing backlash of violence now being blamed upon this isolated act is every bit as tragic.
In Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Israel, Lebanon, Kenya, France,Turkey, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and the United States, terrorist violence has repeatedly been used as a political weapon.
It moves well beyond the limits of "by any means necessary" to the senseless slaughter of innocents. Victimizing civilian populations for political gain is a strategy worthy of universal condemnation.
NATO and the United States have had successes building alliances with locals willing to hunt down killers who use terror as tools of death and fear. Collateral damage should not be an acceptable means of bringing about change.
The vocal indignation registered by those led would rule Afghanistan is meaningless. They have had years to step and and take control of their country, but corruption and graft have kept them from reaching that goal. Silk robes and posturing politics do not represent power to a people still waiting for basic services.
If the American soldier allegedly involved turns out to be responsible for the killings, he will face justice before a U.S. military tribunal. International security forces maintain the right to discipline their own.
Once the Afghans can handle the security of their own cities, villages and their entire country, they will have the right to subject foreign nationals to justice in their own courts. For now, that is not only impossible, it is out out of the question.
Universal condemnation of terrorism, and no quarter for those who would target the powerless represents a course that leads toward a more peaceful world.To not negotiate with terrorists is no longer enough.
The threat they represent is ample enough to warrant pre-emptive actions. It is why the drones of the United States are armed and continue to strike when intelligence warrants a deserving target. It is a foreign policy approach that is paying dividends. Others in the world should adopt that approach.
Sad things happen in war, and military doctors and judge advocate office investigators will sort through the reasons why.
Still, the disturbing backlash of violence now being blamed upon this isolated act is every bit as tragic.
In Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Israel, Lebanon, Kenya, France,Turkey, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and the United States, terrorist violence has repeatedly been used as a political weapon.
It moves well beyond the limits of "by any means necessary" to the senseless slaughter of innocents. Victimizing civilian populations for political gain is a strategy worthy of universal condemnation.
NATO and the United States have had successes building alliances with locals willing to hunt down killers who use terror as tools of death and fear. Collateral damage should not be an acceptable means of bringing about change.
The vocal indignation registered by those led would rule Afghanistan is meaningless. They have had years to step and and take control of their country, but corruption and graft have kept them from reaching that goal. Silk robes and posturing politics do not represent power to a people still waiting for basic services.
If the American soldier allegedly involved turns out to be responsible for the killings, he will face justice before a U.S. military tribunal. International security forces maintain the right to discipline their own.
Once the Afghans can handle the security of their own cities, villages and their entire country, they will have the right to subject foreign nationals to justice in their own courts. For now, that is not only impossible, it is out out of the question.
Universal condemnation of terrorism, and no quarter for those who would target the powerless represents a course that leads toward a more peaceful world.To not negotiate with terrorists is no longer enough.
The threat they represent is ample enough to warrant pre-emptive actions. It is why the drones of the United States are armed and continue to strike when intelligence warrants a deserving target. It is a foreign policy approach that is paying dividends. Others in the world should adopt that approach.
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