The United States War against Terrorism - Book Report/Review Example

In an effort to broker peace in terror-torn countries, the US has placed its troops to foster a sense of support to one particular group in the region. This has not served to lessen the intensity of any of the fundamentalist organizations, like the al Qaeda, who feel that this is tantamount to interference in internal affairs rather than an effort to broker peace in the region. A parallel has been drawn to the fall of communism in the Soviet Block, following a very long period that is otherwise referred to as the Cold War.

Gordon talks about the sharp territorial lines that were drawn in the past to demarcate the followers of communism and capitalism. He also goes on to indicate that the relations between the US and the Soviet Block began to warm up only when the whole ideology of a communist state began to crumble upon itself. In spite of being a force to contend with earlier on, the communist ideology woke up to the fact - rather slowly however - that, communism as a unifying force could not be relied upon, in its original form.

There was an urgent need to take into consideration the advancements in technology and science in order to keep up with the progress that was sweeping the rest of the world (read: the non-communist countries). Gordon does not advocate a policy of military persuasion, one that has been significantly present in varied forms in the Middle East region and elsewhere, as well. He fears that this will only serve two very detrimental purposes: one, a weakening of US resources and two, a retaliatory exercise on the part of the terrorists.

He feels that a show of military prowess will in no way bring about peace. Finally, Gordon tries to put forward pacifist ideas that he believes could bring about an end to terrorism. Counter-terrorist activities that are based on military might, will only spur on more violence. An education of the US populace on the threats posed by terrorism will help to a great extent. Awareness among the global Muslim community of the ill-effects of jihad will also signal a beginning of the end of terrorism perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalist groups.

There is still a great deal of hope as one sees open resentment among the global Muslim community against acts of terror in the recent past. Apart from all these measures, it would be a worthwhile proposition to explore the possibilities of the US becoming self-sufficient in oil, which hitherto seems to be the main bone of contention in the Arab world. There should be no way in which the US could be held to ransom on account of oil. Since it is the dream of Islamic fundamentalist organizations to gain economic as well as territorial power, using oil as a bartering tool, it would be a wise move on the part of the US to find a way to work through this particular problem.

Gordon concludes his essay on an optimistic note, saying that the eradication of terrorism is a possibility, though not one that can be achieved through military action. Part II - AnalysisReading through Gordon's essay, one is forced to take a very close look at the events in the recent past that have shook the very roots of democracy and peaceful co-existence of multi-cultural and multi-ethnic groups in the US. Though Gordon advocates peace, he is unable to provide concrete courses of action that will undermine the efforts of the average terrorist in