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reviewed by Carol Brouillet, July 26, 2002
This book, on many levels, is a miracle, not unlike the mysterious process of Birth, and revives our collective aspirations for Hope, Peace, Justice, Joy and Life to prevail against those in power who scream for War. Piercing the smoke and mirrors of propaganda, misinformation, the largest psychological “Special Operation” ever pulled on humanity, the book calmly, carefully, meticulously examines the facts, the evidence of the crime of the century, and documents the clear need for a real, open, public inquiry of 9-11.
Much of the C.I.A.’s budget is devoted to controlling the public mind, for there is no greater threat, today, to the powers that be, than an informed American public. Enormous resources have been squandered to distract, mislead, deflect, frighten attention from a deep understanding of the events of September 11th, what actually happened, why it happened, who has benefited, and who is paying the price. Outside the U.S., the veil is perhaps easier to see through, Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed has the advantage of distance, living in England. He also has drawn from his work on the history and development of the conflict in Afghanistan, and the rich insights of others, freely scattered across the Internet, to pull together a clear, coherent understanding of the geopolitics of a war that had been planned for many, many years.
He lays bare the hypocrisy and deception of the U.S.’s policy in Afghanistan, from luring the Russians into the “Afghan trap” to propelling the Taliban into power, to the installation of a “foothold in Central Asia” from which new geo-political alliances have emerged, as well as an “interim government,” friendly to multi-national oil interests.
Under the deluge of theories and facts about 9-11, Ahmed focuses on the key issues- the evolution of the Afghan crisis since before the Soviet invasion, the strategic design behind the U.S. war plans, foreknowledge of “the terrorist attacks,” the collapse of Standard Operating Procedures on 9-11, the American ties with Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda, the Saudi Connection, the U.S. Pakistani Alliance, and the I.S.I. (Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence), the “New War;”- Power and Profit, at Home and Abroad.
Ahmed’s evidence and analysis are very compelling: the U.S.’s role in creating Al Qaeda, how the U.S. funds, trains, supports Al Qaeda (and terrorism) where convenient, and uses them as an excuse for military intervention in other regions (when convenient), the blatant elevation of the “security interests of multi-national oil interests” above the interests of humans living in the U.S. or other countries, the financial links between the Bush family and the Bin Laden family, and the ISI Director-General Mahmoud Ahmed’s role in last September’s drama.
Lt. General Mahmoud Ahmad was in the U.S. meeting with top U.S. officials before and during the attacks. At the urging of the U.S., he was later sent to Afghanistan to “demand that the Taliban hand over Bin Laden without conditions or face certain war.” When it was revealed that Mahmoud Ahmad had ordered his aide, Ahmad Umar Sheikh, to wire $100,000. to “WTC hijacker Mohammed Atta” from Pakistan, and confirmed by the F.B.I., the U.S.urged Mahmoud Ahmad to quietly resign, but did not investigate or, in any way, try to hold him responsible for his role in the attacks.
Last winter,our awareness of this information, prompted many of us, peace and human rights activists, to march on our senators and congresswoman to demand a Congressional Inquiry of 9-11, and to get out in the streets, to demonstrate, raise these issues publicly, and to expose the fraudulent nature of the “War.” I spoke to television reporters, journalists, Noam Chomsky, Michael Parenti, Norman Solomon who doubted “the credibility of my information and analysis.” Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed, has done what I have not found time to do, patiently document the evidence, compile multiple references from many different sources, including the Congressional Records, analyze it in a dispassionate way, allowing readers to make their own judgements. From his examination of what he believes to be the key facts, he concludes that-
“The virtually unhindered expansion of the American Empire is simultaneously and systemically eroding the very values that America claims to stand for. Throughout the West and beyond, civil liberties, basic freedoms and human rights are being curtailed in the name of fighting terrorism, while military interventions with nuclear implications are being planned to pursue brute strategic and economic interests, at the expense of indigenous populations--- and for the benefit of corporate elites. Under U.S. leadership, it seems that the entire world is moving towards a situation of global apartheid governed by the Western-based international institutions of what is fast becoming a global police state, administered by the powerful for their own profit.”He dedicates the book to the innocent civilians murdered in the terrorist attacks on September 11th, their families, their friends, and to all the other victims of terrorism around the world, including those killed, injured and starving in Afghanistan. By understanding the role of the state in creating “terrorists” and “terrorist attacks” to further their interests and the interests of multinational corporations, we are in a better position to stop “terrorism” at its roots.In the lengthy Afterward, publisher John Leonard, takes a broader historical look at the “deceptions” perpetuated by governments to justify their wars, and at the more controversial areas of inquiry into what actually happened. Leonard makes a good case that the “War on Terrorism” should be recognized as a “War of Terrorism.” The War on Terrorism needs to be redefined; the big lie needs to be countered by the simple truth.
The clash of “civilizations” is a “smokescreen” for a clash of “worldviews.” There are those who believe in Bush, capitalism, the integrity of corporations and their ordained right to govern the world that they own, the evil of any who "oppose them," and then there are those who believe in- the goodness of humanity, human rights, freedom, peace, justice, the interdependence of humanity with the web of Life. Will the forces of “Fear and Greed” triumph over the desire for “Peace, Life, Freedom?” We are all part of the public mind; will we allow it to obscure Truth, embrace Denial, be frightened into Obedience? Or can we play our part to further the cause of Truth, Peace, Justice, Freedom by helping to raise consciousness on the most critical issues of our time. Will we hold those in power accountable for their actions, and their crimes against humanity? Process must match purpose; democracies demand transparency; dictatorships demand deception. Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed and John Leonard have given us an invaluable tool to cast light upon the darkest secrets of our time, in this powerful book- The War on Freedom, now it is up to us, to get out the message to the world, especially to the people of the United States and the legislators who are supposed to serve us.
P.S. Personal note- I'm helping to publicize Nafeez Ahmed's visit to the U.S. in September. It's been hard to figure out exact dates, because his wife was expecting their first child. I just learned that a healthy daughter, Amina Mujahida, was born on July 27, 2002. I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Ahmed family.