IS IT GLOBAL...OR NOT?

Two lessons emerged from two Middle East bombings that claimed many lives.

The helpful lesson in Saudi Arabia is that the devastating bombing attacks are not the product of any legitimate struggle against "imperialism." Rather, fanatical Muslim terrorists are quite willing to drive a car bomb into a housing complex filled with fellow Muslims....

The wrong lesson was learned from the Iraq attack, though, by some timorous governments abroad.

Shortly after the bombing, Japan put on hold its plans to contribute troops to a peacekeeping force. Other nations might also try to keep their soldiers out of the line of fire, leaving more of the burden to be shouldered by the United States and its few allies.

Governments that want to run from the responsibility of the world community are playing right into the hands of the terrorists.

Can you sit on the sidelines in a "global" war on terror?

Well, yes you can. And in doing so you aid the other side.

N'est-ce pas?