Monday, February 21, 2005

David Brin on effective counterterrorism

Declan has pointed me at a terrific essay by David Brin, which in turn links to his wide ranging thoughts in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

"Where it comes to fighting terrorism directly, my point is that aversion to casualties has always has been pushed by politicians and mass media, not commonfolk. Increased formal security is not the answer.

The answer (admittedly oversimplifying) is better doctrine.

Again, those planes were filled with adult males who could overcome fanatics armed with knives. They had been indoctrinated to be passive, but those men aboard UA93 proved that citizens can be heroes. In fact, the call would stir our hearts and make us feel brave. If done carefully and responsibly, it would make us feel like men and women... adults with a role to play in defending our tribe."

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