"To the Shores of Tripoli…"

Two centuries ago American ships were beset by seagoing terrorists. These were the Barbary pirates, freebooters who operated out of bases in North African ports. The rulers of the North African kingdoms (the Barbary States) tolerated the pirates (considering it their God given right to do so) for a cut of the loot. Nations could protect their citizens from pirate attacks by paying large sums of money (“tribute”) to the rulers of the North African kingdoms who would then “restrain” the pirates. Today, we call this a protection racket. America paid the tribute for a while, but when asked to pay even more, the cry went up, “millions for defense, not one cent for tribute.” In went the US navy and marines and that was the end of the Barbary pirates. Thus the Marine Corps hymn contains the line, “to the shores of Tripoli.”

The situation today is very similar. The pirates are now terrorists. They are not interested in plunder and enslaving people, but mass murder and pursuing ideological and religious goals. The most active international terrorism organization is the Osama Bin Laden group. They take refuge in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sudan, not the Barbary States. The main bases are in Afghanistan, a nation without a seacoast. The Taliban government of Afghanistan also pleads for international aid to relieve their dire economic problems, but refuses to have this aid linked with restraining the terrorists in their territory. The Barbary pirates were allowed to operate for so long because no one wanted to spend the substantial money required to launch a major military operation to attack the host nations and shut it down. Eventually America did, and it worked. But today we have a situation where, for years, America has protested the sanctuary terrorists are given in some nations. Afghanistan is currently under UN sanctions for harboring terrorists, but still refuses to take action. And Afghanistan continues to demand more “humanitarian aid.” At least the Barbary States were willing to make deals. So much for progress.

The Osama Bin Laden terrorist organization has killed more Americans than the Barbary pirates ever did. The nations that provide refuge for the Bin Laden followers are doing it for political, religious and ideological reasons, not for money. But Bin Laden also gets refuge because his exploits are very popular among Moslems, especially in the Middle East. The reason for this is that, since the Arab peoples achieved independence over the last 80 years (first from Turkish domination, then from European colonial rule), they have not been able to establish honest, efficient governments. Corruption and tyranny is the rule. The people either migrate (millions have come to America) or turn to Islamic fundamentalism and blaming the West for all their problems. These Arab grievances refer back to the Christian crusades of the 12th-14th centuries and a short period of colonial rule after World War I. Americans forget that in most of the world, people have long memories. Wrongs (real or imagined) committed centuries ago are the basis for current hatreds. The closest thing we have to this is when you hear someone from Alabama complaining about “the war” and realizing this reference is to the Civil War of 1861-65.

Ancient grudges are one thing, combining them with religion is lethal. When you’re on a mission from God, anything is allowed, any means are justified and there are no limits. At least piracy was something of a profession; you did it for a living, not to deliberately slaughter civilians and destroy non-military property. The radical Arab attitude is that Western customs and ideas are polluting Moslems. Economic progress is not possible until all Western influences are driven out of Moslem areas. Most Moslems don’t agree with this, but they do go along with the idea that someone else is the cause of all their misery. Unlike the West, personal responsibility does not extend much beyond family or clan. Islam was never a fan of democracy. Indeed, the word “Islam” means “submission.” While many of the increasingly better educated population realize that Western technology and business methods (rule of law and discouraging corruption) will help Moslem populations without degrading Islam, they are reluctant to speak out. The radicals have weapons, are willing to use them against dissenters as well as Westerners, and are generally not opposed. A small portion of the population is attracted to the radical groups. So we have corrupt leaders plundering the population from above, while a small number of radicals terrorize the democratic minded people from below. Many Moslems take a perverse pride in terrorist acts against non-Moslems. Thus you see public celebrations in Moslem nations after terrorist acts against non-Moslems. The huge death toll of the September 11th attacks shocked even those who say they are in favor of suicide attacks. Celebrations were muted, but they still took place. The radicals were still jubilant. But most Moslems realize that terrorist attacks only “work” if they get media attention and don’t enrage the victims into a desire for massive retaliation. Most Moslems realize the September 11 attacks were over the line and now America will be out in force looking for blood. Everyone can understand the desire for revenge after a great wrong has been done. But for the radicals, death at the hands of the oppressor is a sure way to enter an afterlife paradise. But pirates are pirates, and in the 19th century, British courts ruled that pirates could be hunted down and killed when captured. In this sense, what worked to eliminate the Barbary pirates will work to eliminate terrorists.

Books by James Dunnigan