Mary Ellen O’Connell, professor of international law at the University of Notre Dame, says "The West is currently spending – wasting – tens of millions of dollars dropping bombs and firing missiles in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Libya, and Somalia. All of this military force is helping create a refugee crisis of biblical proportions. And Paris happens.
"More bombs will not stop the next attack. Good intelligence and law enforcement will. But both will be in short supply so long as the CIA continues to dabble in paramilitary operations and so long as resources go to the military, not the police. "Clearly, people want strong leadership at this moment. References to war resonate, but if we want greater peace and security, the approach that works involves police measures. Police have broken up seven plots in the United Kingdom and seven in France in recent months. The French bombing campaign in Syria and U.S./U.K. drone strikes during the same period have only fueled the conspirators.
"While military force has succeeded in eliminating a handful of people on various “kill lists,” it is failing to suppress terrorism. Quite the opposite is occurring. Terrorist organizations are seizing upon the victims’ loss and anger to recruit more members. France is bombing Syria now and calling on NATO members to do the same. But who is dying? Hardened ISIS fighters, yes, but also ISIS hostages and other bystanders. When innocent people are torn to shreds by missile strikes, when the landscape is left devastated, no allies are won."
O’Connell is available for further comment at 574-631-7953 or [email protected])
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