Administration Drops 'The Global War On Terror' Slogan

The New York Times reports that the administration is dropping "the global war on terror," slogan. Officials say that phrase may have outlived its usefulness, because it focused attention solely, and incorrectly, on the military campaign:

Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the National Press Club on Monday that he had "objected to the use of the term 'war on terrorism' before, because if you call it a war, then you think of people in uniform as being the solution." He said the threat instead should be defined as violent extremists, with the recognition that "terror is the method they use."

Although the military is heavily engaged in the mission now, he said, future efforts require "all instruments of our national power, all instruments of the international communities' national power." The solution is "more diplomatic, more economic, more political than it is military," he concluded.

According to the BBC, National security advisor Steven Hadley co-wrote a piece for the New York Times in which he set out the current thinking:

"Military action is only one piece of the war on terrorism," Mr Hadley wrote.

At the same time, however, we must bring all of the tools of statecraft, economic influence and private enterprise to bear in this war.

Freedom-loving people around the world must reach out through every means - communications, trade, education - to support the courageous Muslims who are speaking the truth about their proud religion and history, and seizing it back from those who would hijack it for evil ends.

I can't dispute the administrations rational, but "the global struggle against the enemies of freedom, the enemies of civilization" just isn't as catchy as "the global war on terror."

Comments

[The Owner's Manual]

Anytime I see variations on "to reach out," I know that someone is caving.

"Hoist the yellow ribbons; outrage is icky."