As America's decision makers prepare for some new variety of warfare, its citizens are plunging into a passionate debate on tactics. In a recent argument with a friend, I suggested that our approach during the Gulf War--sacrificing the lives of at least 100,000 Iraqui soldiers, who probably had no choice over their destiny, in order to keep the oil flowing--was not a good model. "What would you do?" he shot back angrily. My vague reply about thinking creatively, understanding the cultural complexities that face us, and so on, did not impress him. But a fine example of creative warfare is making its way around the internet this week, and we decided to share it with you.

Banning Eyre

By carrying out a humane form of psychological warfare against the Taliban, we could give the Afghani people three things their rulers are not giving them: food, medicine, and the truth.
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A military response, particularly an attack on Afghanistan, is exactly what the terrorists want. It will strengthen and swell their small but fanatical ranks.

Instead, bomb Afghanistan with butter, with rice, bread, clothing, and medicine. It will cost less than conventional arms, poses no threat of US casualties and just might get the populace thinking that maybe the Taliban don't have the answers. After three years of drought and with starvation looming, let's offer the Afghani people the vision of a new future. One that includes full stomachs.

Bomb them with information: video players and cassettes of world leaders, particularly Islamic leaders, condemning terrorism. Carpet the country with magazines and newspapers showing the horror of terrorism committed by their "guest." Blitz them with laptop computers and DVD players filled with a perspective that is denied them by their government. Saturation bombing with hope will mean that some of it gets through. Send so much that the Taliban can't collect and hide it all.

The Taliban are telling their people to prepare for Jihad. Instead, let's give the Afghani people their first good meal in years. Seeing your family fully fed and the prospect of stability in terms of food and a future is a powerful deterrent to martyrdom. All we ask in return is that they, as a people, agree to enter the civilized world. That includes handing over terrorists in their midst. In responding to terrorism we need to do something different. Something unexpected, something that addresses the root of the problem. We need to take away the well of despair, ignorance and brutality from which the Osama bin Laden's of the world water their gardens of terror.