Letters

Who Is the Enemy Now?
"How can we counter the ever intensifying climate of terror? Not by military means. The war in Iraq is proof of that."
ROBERT R. NEWELL
Nellysford, Va.

In today's terror-struck world, war has evolved far beyond one nation fighting another [March 29]. Now a globally dispersed band of Islamist assassins, worshippers of death, blow themselves to bits along with as many innocent victims as possible. The civilized people of the world, regardless of nationality, must devise brand-new strategies for dealing with crazed terrorists. The U.S.'s unilateral actions seem only to be inflaming them. The U.N.'s practices of negotiation, inquiry, mediation and judicial settlement won't work against deranged extremists who hide behind religion, nor will sending troops to trouble spots. The U.N., our only global instrument of peace and sanity, must reinvent itself.
ROBERT L. WOLKE
Pittsburgh, Pa.

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How can we counter the ever intensifying climate of terror? Not by military means. The war in Iraq is proof of that. Using armed force to retaliate, in fact, breeds more terrorists. Why not look at the real roots of this terrorism? The radical Islamists hate us because we are in their countries, owing to America's increasing need for oil. If the U.S. had a Department of Alternative Energy, we might someday be able to eliminate the Department of Homeland Security.
ROBERT R. NEWELL
Nellysford, Va.

Thousands of battle-hardened American men and women will emerge from the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq and be the better for their undertaking. Combat changes a person's perspective, priorities and motivation. After one experiences armed conflict, petty concerns that once seemed to be of the greatest importance can rightfully turn into mundane annoyances. Soon those brave Americans will come home and begin reshaping their country. Calling on past experiences, they will set aside trivial issues and do what is right for all Americans, not unlike the generation that fought in World War II.
J. SCOTT BOWMAN
Phoenix, Ariz.

Not understanding your enemy can lead to defeat. We will have little success in overcoming terrorists unless we better comprehend their motives. The Afghanistan war was a proper reaction to 9/11, but the Iraq invasion must have pleased Osama bin Laden, as it brought greater numbers to his side. The U.S. is not safer as a result of the Iraq war; we are in greater danger. Bin Laden's active followers may be a small minority of Arabs and Muslims, but a small minority of 1 billion people can still be a huge number. Our free and open society in the U.S. is very vulnerable. Our government's counterproductive, belligerent attitude must be changed one way or another.
JOSEPH C. GRASSO
Toledo, Ohio

The ruthless invasion of Iraq not only has cost thousands of innocent lives and billions of dollars but also has been a model of the failure of the war on terrorism. The invasion angered the Arab world and made the recruitment of terrorists much easier. The money supporting the war could be much better spent on achieving homeland security for example, protecting nuclear reactors and transportation systems. The war has also taken resources away from destroying al-Qaeda. These terrorists have been able to regroup, evolve and continue creating new cells. How can Americans continue to support a President who has mishandled this urgent situation?
RICHARD KAZINY
Evanston, Ill.

Your article on the new generation of terrorist groups stated that "the terrorist threat is evolving and getting scarier" but noted that "billions of dollars in intelligence expenditures have made the U.S. more effective than ever at hunting and pre-empting terrorists." There is no reason to believe that those who hate us are winning. The U.S. today is more prepared for attacks, and we are much safer now than in the past. We can never forget the events of 9/11, but we should put terrorism on the back burner and let the government worry about it. I'm tired of staring at pictures of guys with turbans and beards in your magazine. Shift your focus.
MIHIR UPADHYAYA
La Mirada, Calif.

Is This Some Kind of Protection Racket?
During my morning commute, I read "How We Got Homeland Security Wrong," about how the government allocates funds to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks [March 29]. After I walked through Grand Central Station, I entered New York City's crowded transit system and rode past the site of the World Trade Center and the Federal Reserve building, finally arriving at my job in the city's financial district. So I was amazed to read that the government has allotted $61 a person to make the prairies of Wyoming safe from terrorists and less than $25 for each New Yorker.
KEVIN MCNAMEE
Irvington, N.Y.

As an objective Canadian, it is easy for me to see how homeland-security money could have been better allocated on the basis of the risk of a terrorist attack rather than most of it being appropriated according to each state's population. If Americans are going to waste money on low-risk areas, they may as well send the money to their allies abroad, such as Spain. It would probably do more good there.
NEIL GOODMAN
Vancouver, B.C.