(New York Times) The final report of the Sept. 11 commission includes a call for a broad rethinking of American foreign policy toward the Arab and Muslim world, declaring that the U.S. needs "a preventive strategy that is as much, or more, political as it is military,'' and that reshapes its approach to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Crucial to the strategy is ensuring that terror groups cannot find sanctuary in "the least governed, most lawless places in the world." The commission recommends that "the U.S. government must identify and prioritize actual or potential terrorist sanctuaries," and "have a realistic strategy to keep possible terrorists insecure and on the run." The commission report called the Saudis "a problematic ally in combating Islamic terrorism,'' though acknowledging that they are now "locked in mortal combat with al-Qaeda."
2004-07-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive