The good fight

The good fight
Careful planning brings substance to a war cloaked in symbolism

October 9, 2001

The war on terrorism has begun in earnest, and even though the world wishes this had not become necessary, the United States has done much that is right.

While some Americans were clamoring for immediate action, the Bush administration refrained from precipitous, and injudicious, retaliation. Instead, the president took the time necessary to assemble a strong and stable coalition, notify other allies, and plan for a thorough and effective military campaign. Retributive violence on Sept. 12 might have sent a sharp message to terrorists and those who support them, but the planning and diplomacy conducted in the interim have helped ensure that our response will be more than just symbolic. Likewise, swift and sure action is would have been gratifying to many Americans, but our action must be focused on justice, not indiscriminate vengeance.

Despite temptations to do otherwise, the United States kept to its course. Osama bin Laden goaded the assembling allies. Critics began to suggest that the United States could not figure out quite what to do. The harsh Afghan winter and the Muslim sacred month of Ramadan approached. Still we proceeded with deliberate care in identifying targets carefully to avoid the needless death of civilians, and launching a program of food and medicine drops to noncombatants, rather than just lobbing missiles into Afghanistan.

We gave fair warning, even amid justifiable doubts that the Taliban and bin Laden had any intention of negotiating in good faith. We rightly refused to be pulled into their last-minute ploy over the fate of humanitarian-worker hostages.

We have not been cowed by threats of further terrorism, recognizing that our risks can only be reduced by eliminating terrorists, not by letting them dictate what we should do. The hand of bin Laden is not likely to be stayed by small concessions, when what he really wants is an end to American domination of the world political scene. In that fight, fear is a great weapon, but failure to give in to fear is a conquering strength.

Three days into the military campaign, the war is far from won. It may never be won conclusively, and the American people must maintain their resolve during a sustained and costly effort against a nebulous foe. Our well-planned campaign in Afghanistan is a good start. It must be backed by a commitment to continued careful planning as well as continued powerful action.