
Prayer in the Mosque by Jean-Léon Gérôme (Photo credit: Metropolitan Museum)
The massacre in Paris has led me to wonder whether there is a solution to terrorist attacks other than strikes. I keep reaching the same conclusion. I doubt that there can be an effective resolution unless it comes to a significant extent from within Islam. If a person is attacked, self-defense is instinctive. One puts up a fight. However, nearly two weeks after the attacks on Paris and earlier attacks, it would seem that, if at all possible, leaders should continue to seek a diplomatic resolution to the crisis as retaliation could intensify and perpetuate the current atrocities.
My reasoning is based on the cultural prevalence in the Middle East, including Israel, of the lex talionis, “an eye for an eye.” I am using the word “prevalence” because humans tend to retaliate when they are harmed.
However, I am glad to see that there is unanimity at the United Nations. I note, moreover, that Ban Ki-moon did not mention a country which was judicious on his part. The wording is “terrorists and ideology extremists[.]” There are a large number of “ideology extremists[.]”
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on Russia and the US to join their efforts to combat terrorism. He told the annual East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur that terrorists and ideology extremists must be “defeated in the name of humanity.”
https://www.rt.com/news/323033-russia-us-terrorism-summit/
For the time being, the United States and Russia will not join forces in combating terrorism. This matter was mentioned during French President François Hollande’s visit to Washington, on 24 November.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/obama-hollande-vow-to-continue-fight-against-isis-1.3334325
Retaliation
It is within the nature of retaliation to perpetuate conflicts. An act of terrorism leads to strikes that lead to other acts of terrorism and to further strikes. There is no end to this process. For retaliation to be effective, all terrorists would have to be rounded up and exterminated, which will not and should not happen.
It appears that two of the assailants in the Paris tragedy entered Europe looking like refugees, which has created greater fear of the refugees. Some of the assailants, however, already lived in Europe. There are Isis terrorists in various countries. We will not have a precise account of the facts regarding the Paris attacks until the investigation is over. There has to be an investigation.
In the meantime, a Russian fighter jet was shot down in Turkey. This matter must also be investigated, but it could be an act of retaliation on the part of Isis, now called Daesh.
Radicalization
Given that the West has mingled in the Middle East, we must also take into consideration the consequences of ill-considered actions. When George W Bush entered Iraq, he violated the sovereignty of a country. In fact, mere intervention is often viewed as interference. It may also be viewed as a rejection of a country’s ability to govern itself. Under such circumstances, countries may lapse into an interpretation of laws that has long fallen into obsolescence. It’s a form of résistance.
In most countries of the Middle East, there is no separation of faith and state, which complicates matters. Sharia law is state and faith combined.
“Sharia and sharia law is the basic Islamic legal system derived from the religious precepts of Islam.” (See Sharia, Wikipedia.)
Therefore, heads fall, limbs are chopped off, and women taken in adultery are stoned to death.
“In the Name of Humanity”
Since 2011, nearly five million Syrians have taken refuge in neighbouring countries and are now seeking asylum in European countries. Canada was to give a home to 25,000 refugees in January, but this process has now been delayed. Yet, the refugees are leaving a country that has been ruined.
Moreover, on 21 August 2013, sarin was used against an enemy sect. Among the 400 to 1,200 people killed were several children. (See Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war and the Ghouta Attack, Wikipedia.)
Conclusion
After the Paris attacks, presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, a relative of George W Bush, was ready to enter into a war against Isis. It was his first reaction, one that could change. But…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeb-bush-isis-war_5654d4a5e4b0879a5b0cd82b
Let me return to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s statement:
…ideology extremists must be ‘defeated in the name of humanity.’
President Obama is still at the helm and he continues to believe that a diplomatic resolution of the crisis in the Middle East is possible. But, as I wrote at the opening of this post, no resolution will be effective unless it comes to a greater than lesser extent from within Islam. Yet Isis “must be defeated in the name of humanity.”
It must be excruciating for Muslims all over the world to watch Isis kill innocent people in the name of Allah. A fire damaged a mosque in Toronto, which is regrettable. Isis is not Islam. It’s a group of terrorists.
I apologize for not posting for several days. It has not been possible. I’m facing a number of difficulties. The Paris attacks have had a nefarious effect on me, as they have on a large number of people. In fact, I’m feeling quite ill.
My kindest regards ♥
© Micheline Walker
26 November 2015
WordPress
Thank you for your sound thoughts. I wish you well soon. All world leaders should have an isightful grasp of history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thank you Derrick. Posting this little article was somewhat frightening. It’s a very sensitive subject. Yet, we need to think out ways of ending the crisis in the Middle East, which begins with understanding human nature so we can see the consequences of a response. We will otherwise bury a lot of victims. Isis is like a bomb that has to be diffused. We have to be very careful. Cheers 🙂 Micheline
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry to hear that you are feeling ill.
This is a very thoughtful article. It’s a breath of fresh air to read amidst some of the other articles I’ve read. Thank you for posting it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thank you for your kind message. I would be fine if I respected my limitations. I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and equally chronic migraines.
However,writing posts is a source of energy, but they can be demanding, depending on the subject matter. Moreover, blogging gives me a community, which is precious. So today I am visiting my colleagues’ sites. I have a great deal of respect for all of you. 🙂 Micheline
LikeLiked by 1 person
American President Eisenhower famously warned us to be afraid of the military industrial complex. Obama jokes about killing people with Predator drones–is this human??. Both parties in the US are controlled. . . I want to say by bankers but it’s deeper than that. The level of hubris and dishonesty of the leaders on the world stage not just in America convinces me that evil is real. It’s not just a disorder or sickness. Power corrupts. The blase way in which governments dismiss and destroy humanity is not normal.
Whether it’s the Bush family, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama trampling on Constitutional rights while fighting for “democracy” against despots–the whole game works at consolidating power for the few while brainwashing the many. The press are willing accomplices.
The US Founding fathers who until about 10 years ago were seen as heroes said that without reason and morality America’s experiment in a democratic republic would fail. This is clearly seen today. (The interesting thing about the US is that from it’s very inception the rights of man were the focus. Withing 100 years slavery was abolished). Today we use the words of freedom. We convince young and brave men and women to offer themselves up for sacrifice like a satanic ritual to the god of this world. We believe that pointing out that some people are “racist” is an act of power or healing. Forgiveness, apologies and a willingness to move on and try harder are the only avenues to peace.
I’m so sad today. We are being manipulated. Yet I have some hope that people are waking up.
On a somewhat related note there is a very interesting video project on youtube. Humanity is more complex than just the terrorists and governments who embrace evil.
I hope you feel better soon for selfish reasons: I love your blog.
xx
Adrienne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Adrienne,
You are right! There is something to gain from the military industry. Moreover, democracy starts at home. One does not enter another country to teach it what one does not practice. The avenue to peace precludes attacks by drones. They kill and destroy. The migration to neighbouring countries and to Europe of Syrians who have lost everything points to an inability to manage the situation. Syria has been destroyed and strikes have contributed to this tragedy. We are witnesses to one of the worse humanitarian crisis ever. One cannot kill and expect peace. xx Micheline
LikeLike
Bonjour Micheline, It is the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq that has destabilized the Middle East. The U.S. continues various actions in Afghanistan, Pakistan (drone attacks), Irak, and now Syria. This gives rise to terrorism. Diplomatic talks will solve nothing. The solution: the West must get out of the Middle East.
The problem is that the Middle East has oil.
Georges Desbarats
LikeLiked by 2 people
Georges,
Diplomacy means being friendly. But drone strikes must end as they will lead to acts of terrorism (retaliation). The current strikes may be perceived as a continuation of the war waged against Iraq in the 2000s. I believe the US should leave the Middle East, but I also remember 9/11. These attacks were acts of terrorism and should not have led to a war, but did.
It could be that if the US left the Middle East, Isis would stop beheading innocent people, burning them alive and drowning them. But there’s a civil war.
I believe the US should leave, but what a mess.
LikeLike
I totally agree with you, Georges… the US ILLEGAL invasion and occupation of Iraq opened Pandora’s box in 2003: almost 200 000 civilians killed!!! 😦 the result(s) being a general chaos all over the Middle East… your last sentence is the conclusion of your idea…
LikeLike
Jusqu’ici les frappes se sont avérées inutiles et la majorité des victimes sont au Proche-Orient. Nous pleurons ‘nos’ victimes mais les leurs sont si nombreuses. J’ai écrit ‘nos’ parce qu’il est difficile pour les Français du Canada d’oublier qu’ils ont déjà été français.
LikeLike
La loi du Talion est déjà un progrès: ” Œil pour œil, dent pour dent” ça veut dire : “Pour un œil pas les deux yeux et pour une dent pas toute la gueule.”
L’étape suivante consiste à remplacer l’œil et la dent par de l’argent et ça roule ; La Civilisation est en marche.
LikeLike
Ma pauvre Clodoweg,
Bien qu’ils soient éparpillés, nous viendrons à bout de ces assassins. Tendresses,
Micheline
LikeLiked by 1 person