Terrorism

7 Pages 1716 Words

ed not against U.S. democracy, but against U.S. military power: "They don't carry out acts of terrorism against Sweden or Switzerland because these people are not great military powers spreading their military might and using their military might in other parts of the world. So it's the position of the United States as a super military power, not as a democracy, I think, that is at the basis of these people's anger." (Zinn) Tied into this theory is the United State’s long-time military presence in the Persian Gulf. It was the permanent stationing of U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia after the 1991 Gulf War that, in part, prompted Osama bin Laden to call for a jihad--or holy war--against the United States. These most extreme groups, such as Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network, view America as the infidel power that is spreading its evil culture around the world. To these extremists America is the Great Satan that pollutes the world with its pornographic cinema, alcohol, and indulgence of women. Worst of all to these Is...