It's time to calculate the wins and losses in the "War On Terrorism". Obviously, the most apparent losses in this war are in Iraq where the country could fall into civil war at any time.

In Afghanistan, some progress has been made in containing the Taliban to certain areas, but the country still depends too much on poppy production and warlords still hold too much sway over some provinces.

In Lebanon, the Hezbollah seemed to gain a political victory over Israel in a quest for influence in this country.

In my opinion,  the firepower of the U.S. and Israel hasn't reduced the number of terrorists or insurgents in the Middle East. The bad guys have won there.

However in the Western World, terrorists plots in Canada and the U.K. have been foiled. The good guys have won here.

It appears to me that Israel, U.S. and NATO tactics haven't succeeded against guerilla groups like the Hezbollah and the Taliban. Does this situation remind you of Vietnam and the Viet Kong?

As long as the insurgents/terrorists can find recruits and arms, the battles will continue. These recruits come from Madrassas(Fanatical Muslim schools in Pakistan, Iran and elsewhere). If these schools are not discovered and terminated, they will continue to produce Mujahedeens(Holy warriors).

The cost to Canada of the war in Afghanistan has been 33 soldiers and 3 billion dollars of military and economic support. The cost to the U.S. and the U.K. has been astronomical.

We must fight smart to win victory in the Middle East:

• Muslim schools which preach "Terrorism 101" must be closed down.
• Moderate muslims must change their school system from religious hatred and indocrination to one of understanding of one's fellowman.
• Preaching hatred and/or genocide against a group or race should be considered a crime in any country.
• Countries supplying arms to the Taliban and Hezbollah should face economic sanctions.
• A route should be mapped out by which terrorist groups like the Taliban and the Hezbollah could reform and be part of the politics of Ledanon and Afghanistan. Part of this route would be an amnesty over a period of time for the terrorist groups to disarm.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/09/09/ndp-afghanistan.html (Critics Appear On Canada's Role In Afghanistan)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4683073.stm (Madrassas)