The war on terrorism and its implications in the Middle East : seeds of instability

Abstract

This thesis intends to demonstrate that the so-called 'War on Terrorism" is used by the United States as an instrument of its foreign policy to promote changes in the Middle East. The two main pillars of this strategy are: the promotion of democracy and the fight against terrorism. However, an assessment of the policy shows that it has failed. It has failed so far to control and/or eliminate terrorist groups and the Global Jihad. It has failed mainly because of the lack of a clear evidence to prove the fact that the promotion of democracy will help to control terrorism or to induce transformation in Middle Eastern societies. On the contrary, recent elections in Palestine have demonstrated that groups considered as terrorists by the United States can win legitimate elections. One of the main findings of this thesis is that through the "War on Terrorism", the United States is trying to globalize the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, gaining support against "terrorist groups", when in reality it has its own agenda. By labeling Resistance groups from the Middle East with local or regional vindications as terrorist activities, the US is producing a counter effect: instead of solving the Middle East peace process they are transposing the way to Jerusalem elsewhere. Maybe it would be better to separate the war against terror from the Middle East conflict. Attacks in London, Madrid and Bali are clear evidence that the war is being misconducted. The other important finding is that this "War on Terro( is weakening the international system. The unilateralism in the decision-making process and the evidence of serious violations of human rights and international law are diminishing the role of international organizations such as the United Nations. The lack of an internationally negotiated definition of terrorism is a problem and shows a very complex political situation. This lack of consensus on a precise definition of terrorism is not only being used by the terrorists but also by the United States. This ambiguity of labeling regional political groups as terrorist is used by the US to promote its own interests. The international community should try to establish cooperation mechanisms to defeat terrorism and at the same time to preserve and strengthen the international peace and security system. There exists a consensus in the idea that terrorism is a flagellum for humankind.