Apipa AkterENG-111Research PaperDecember 12, 2007War on TerrorThe events of 9/11 were done by terrorists, and we believe that those terroristswere Muslims, and perhaps they came from Middle East. Ever since then, Super PowerAmerica has adopted different means to protect not only its homeland, but also the wholeworld from further attacks. Many Americans, especially the Bush administration believethat countries without democracy are more prone to having terrorists and committingterror. So at any cost, America has to establish democracy in those regions.Obviously, the United States suffered a great loss on 9/11 and those whoconducted the massacre are unforgivable. America must protect its homeland in the bestways it considers. One of the measures it has taken is forcing American system ofgovernment in the Middle Eastern countries. But is it reasonable to force democracy intospecific Muslim regions by waging war, in order to fight terrorism?I don’t think so. Going to war to promote democracy in the Middle East, as a wayof fighting terrorism, is likely to escalate resentment towards America, and make matterseven worse. Moreover, America can’t defeat the terrorists alone. If the main goal ofAmerica is to fight against terrorism, it should adopt policies that increase internationalcooperation in this respect; irrespective of the differences in religious beliefs.Establishing democracy in the Middle East can’t be considered as a remedy forterrorism because there is no proof that democratic nations have no terrorists, or neverhad any terrorists. It is true that people of Middle East want freedom and security, butthey don’t want foreign occupation in achieving this. Shibley Telhami, in his article“How to Not Spread Democracy” notes that “The policy aimed at spreading democracyin the Middle East, has increased conditions that terrify the public and reduced attractiontowards democracy.” This is because invasion in Iraq has caused the death of massnumber of civilians, and made people feel even more in secured. People are now deniedtheir basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing. What will these people do withdemocracy if their basic needs aren’t met? That’s why Telhami ended his article bysaying, “If Iraq is an example of the democratic change one can expect, who anywherewould want it?”Furthermore, America wants to transform the Middle East by bringing economicand cultural changes in addition to democracy. Condoleezza Rice in her article“Transforming the Middle East,” argues that “our transformation policy isn’t a militarycommitment, but requires us to engage all aspects of our national power- diplomatic,economic, and cultural.” How can Rice expect cultural changes? Middle East isn’t a partof America. America can’t force people of another nation to accept its culture. This seemslike American culture is superior to any other culture. Democracy gives freedom topeople, but this sounds like America wants to be the new dictator of those transformingregions. This kind of thinking or pressure makes the Muslim fundamentalists even moreaggressive, and hence, they probably have legitimate reasons to want to attack America.In addition to the tribute paid to democratic forms of Government, President Bushstates that “Democratic nations don’t breed ideologies of murder. They encourage thepeaceful pursuit of a better life” (qtd. in Rice). In response to this statement, I want to saythat President Bush is the President of a democratic nation, so why is he murdering thoseinnocent Iraqi and Afghan civilians since the 2003 invasion? Is he trying to bring peaceand better life for the Iraqis by killing them and destroying their countries?In reality America is being criticized for what it says and what it does. Forinstance Zbigniew Brzezinski in his article “Terrorized by ‘War on Terror’” commentsthat, ‘War on Terror’ has damaged the United States internationally. This is because theyare harassing Muslims in a way that a democratic nation denies to. U.S. military treats theIraqi civilians roughly, and this has led to “a sense of hostility towards the U.S.,” not onlyby Muslims, but also people from other parts of the world.After 9/11 America has started to treat Muslims unfairly all over the world. Theyare deporting or putting Muslim residents and citizens with radical beliefs in jail. Thosewho have even a simple immigration violation, or a violation that has nothing to do withterror, are considered terrorists. Authoritarian form of Government takes direct action of acrime, but democracy values judgment before any penalty. Besides, Muslim travelers areeven required to form a different line in several International airports. They are heldunder suspicion and checked more compared to someone coming from another religion.Brzezinski describes this discrimination as an “unintended by product” in combatingterrorism. It has also been known that if someone’s name matches with one that is on theterrorist list, he/ she is likely to face a lot of problem when traveling. For instance, M.Humayun Kabir, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to America, was held under suspicion atRegan National Airport on August 31, 2007 simply because his name appeared on theterror list. He was again suspected on September 3, 2007 at Wichita Airport for the samereason. Other than the similarity of his name with a terrorist he had no other fault. This isso ridiculous. According to Ejaz Haider in his article “Wrong Message to the Muslim World,”America is no longer a place where people can enjoy freedom. He also mentions that a lotof families are migrating from the United States in search of safety. America’s reputationas a free nation is deteriorating.Middle Eastern visitors coming to USA has to register with the Immigration andNaturalization Service (INS). This was published in an article named “A trap for MiddleEastern Visitors,” written by Sadiq Reza. He stated that this registration was required “toget more information about Middle Eastern visitors… for the domestic fight againstterrorism.” How is INS likely to be successful in finding Middle Eastern terrorists in thisway? Who will want to share any information if they know that their