American Might & The War On Terror

Say what you will about former President George W. Bush, the facts of his tenure are irrefutable. Fate placed him as Commander-In-Chief of the United States at the time of the most horrific attack on American soil in our nation’s history. This act of war shaped his nascent presidency and transformed him into America’s first terror-warrior. George Bush initiated an American response to the attacks of September 11th, 2001 that was bold and offensive in nature and remained as such throughout his presidency. The toppling of two, terrorist-friendly regimes in the wake of these attacks sent a clear message to the world that America is a force to be reckoned with. Although leaders of rogue nations throughout the Middle East are quick to forfeit the lives of their subjects through acts of cowardly suicide bombings, they will think twice before acting on impulses that might result in their own demise. The ongoing policy of the Bush administration to actively seek and to relentlessly destroy the perpetrators of Islamic terrorism was directly responsible for insuring the safety of Americans throughout his stay in office.



President Obama, upon taking the oath of office, immediately changed the course of America’s foreign policy. He initiated a more defensive strategy on terrorism and a more conciliatory posture toward the nations who supported it. As a result, Iran, the most pro-terrorist/anti-American nation in the world, no longer has fear of American power. It has demonstrated this by mocking the President’s ineffectual threats of sanctions for its nuclear programs and by funneling increasing amounts of funds and supplies to terrorist networks such as Hamas and Hezbollah. These supplies are then readily transferred to their respective cells within the United States. Last week’s near-miss car bombing in New York’s Times Square, coupled with the “Christmas Day Bomber” and the “Fort Hood Massacre”, is further proof of the newfound emboldenment of the Mujahidin in America. The reactions of the President to these terrorist plots have, thus far, been weak and evasive. He appears hesitant to place blame where it belongs - on the terrorists and the nations that support them.


The President must toughen his stance on terrorism and the regimes that foster it, and he must do so soon. He can no longer profess to be a President of peace in an era of Islamic-jihadism which is dedicated to the destruction of this country. He must make it clear to all nations who are sympathetic to terrorists, that if America is attacked, he will follow the lead of his predecessor and unleash upon them the full might of the United States military. Iran, Syria, Lebanon and their ilk must be made to understand that if Americans die at the hands of terrorists, the consequences for their involvement will be so severe as to render their acts suicidal.


Peace through strength is the only reasonable path to victory in America’s war on terror. George Bush was keenly aware of this and we can only hope that President Obama will take heed of the former President’s success. Though Obama has heretofore presented himself as the “Anti-Bush” President, some things are simply too important to politicize. As President, he is charged with the protection of our nation; America’s military might is his most valuable asset in fulfilling this constitutional role. The Obama policy of appeasement in the face of aggression and timidity in reaction to threats is dangerous to America and, if continued, will represent a clear dereliction of his duty as President. American might is the key to victory in the war on terror; it is both an effective deterrent and a legitimate tool in the defense of American sovereignty. President Obama must embrace the policies of his predecessor in response to terrorist threats or we may be destined to a future where attacks become commonplace and fear becomes the norm. Americans are a people of perseverance and strength. We elect presidents to reflect these qualities and to defend our ways of life. The Obama inclination of evasion over action and of rhetoric over results only serves to jeopardize our safety at home and to embolden our enemies abroad.