LONDON, Oct 8 (KUNA) — The so-called war on terror has been a “disaster” and British military policy in Iraq and Afghanistan must be fundamentally changed if Al-Qaida is to be defeated, a report released here Monday said.
The report, by the “Oxford Research Group” think-tank, called for major changes in foreign policy and warned of the dangers of military action against Iran.
Iraq has become a training ground for violent jihadists and British and US forces should withdraw from the country immediately, it added.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was updating MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon following his visit to Iraq last week when he announced that 1,000 UK troops would be back in Britain by Christmas.
Today’s report claimed the present fight against international terrorism has failed and has instead played into the hands of Al-Qaida.
The dismantling of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 2001-02 was of “direct value” to Al-Qaida and the extraordinary rendition and detention of terror suspects is a “constant source of propaganda,” it added.
The report, entitled “Towards Sustainable Security: Alternatives to the War on Terror”, called for a complete withdrawal from Iraq, a scaling down of military operations in Afghanistan, and the ending of extraordinary rendition and detention without trial.
Report author Paul Rogers said “Every aspect of the War on Terror has been counterproductive in Iraq and Afghanistan, from the loss of civilian life through to mass detentions without trial. In short, it has been a disaster.” “Western countries simply have to face up to the dangerous mistakes of the past six years and recognise the need for new policies.” He also warned “Going to war with Iran will make matters far worse, playing directly into the hands of extreme elements and adding greatly to the violence across the region. Whatever the problems with Iran, war should be avoided at all costs, the mistakes already made will be completely overshadowed by the consequences of a war with Iran.” For his part, the opposition Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore said “This hard-hitting report is a timely reminder of the flawed strategy of treating Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran as three fronts of the so-called ‘War on Terror’.” “The concept of the ‘War on Terror’ is now wholly discredited. It would be folly to continue trying to tackle violent extremism in the same manner.” “The Government must pay heed and withdraw our troops from Iraq and reconsider our strategy for Afghanistan. Above all else, it must make it clear that military action against Iran is a non-starter,” Moore added