Action Alert: Change the focus of fighting terrorism away from using military force

Progressive Secretary circulated this suggested letter on Friday. It's significant because it's based on an analysis by one of the premier establishment national security oriented think tanks, the RAND Corporation. And this analytical report is being disseminated by the Quakers -- the Friends Committee on National Legislation. That's an unusual combination of military contractor and pacifist advocate.

The letter, and sign on, are at: http://www.progsec.org/DynMenu/DynMenu.php?Table=lettercontrol&Page=Focu...

The RAND report, How Terrorist Groups End: Implications for Countering al Qa'ida, is at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9351/index1.html

Abstract: How do terrorist groups end? The evidence since 1968 indicates that terrorist groups rarely cease to exist as a result of winning or losing a military campaign. Rather, most groups end because of operations carried out by local police or intelligence agencies or because they join the political process. This suggests that the United States should pursue a counterterrorism strategy against al Qa'ida that emphasizes policing and intelligence gathering rather than a “war on terrorism” approach that relies heavily on military force.

The letter is addressed to the President, VP, and your Congresspeople. I think it would be a good idea to sent it to the Obama and McCain campaigns, too:
http://answercenter.barackobama.com/cgi-bin/barackobama.cfg/php/enduser/... and http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/

Title: Change focus of fighting terrorism

This letter stems from a RAND Corporation report disseminated by the
Friends Committee on National Legislation. It goes to the President, Vice
President, and Congress.

Dear: _________________

A major new report by the RAND Corporation demonstrates conclusively
that military force is ineffective in vanquishing terrorist groups.

Police and intelligence operations and negotiated settlements are much
more successful than military force.

We must accept that armed struggle in Iraq and Afghanistan will never
eliminate terrorism. Our presence in these countries has only exacerbated
internal unrest and conflict, with no end in sight.

I urge the president and Congress to act immediately to end our fruitless
and destructive occupation of these countries.

Sincerely yours

Your name and address

Written by PM 9⁄7⁄08

Further information:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9351/index1.html

The report, based on an analysis of 648 terrorist groups active between
1968 and 2006 and shows that military force has led to victory only 7
percent of the time. It also shows that police and intelligence operations and
negotiated settlements were much more successful.

This letter was released on 10/23/08.

This letter goes to participants who have expressed an interest in the following:
Peace
International Politics