The first wave of attacks against the Taliban regime have consisted of sea- and air-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as laser-guided munitions delivered by B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers. The likeliest targets will be command and control centers and elements of Afghanistan’s air defense system. U.S. air campaign strategy, in the post-Viet Nam era, has shown itself time and time again to be one of systematic establishment of theater air superiority, followed by combat air patrol en masse, followed by massive targeting of military ground targets, followed presumably by joint service ground operations. This particular operation, according to both the White House and the Pentagon, will be enhanced by humanitarian missions which will likely begin with airdrops of food, medical supplies and other emergency provisions. Operations will also likely include the greatest contribution from Special Forces yet seen.
Citizens of the United States and her allies have been warned to expect follow-on terrorist attacks in response to our retaliation. Already the cities and towns of America—indeed, America’s very character of openness and freedom of movement—have been irrevocably altered by the events of September 11th. We are not yet an armed camp…but we are heading in that direction. Homeland security is of course a priority, and the survival of a nation must regrettably outweigh its civil liberties. The late Supreme Court Associate Justice Robert Jackson, who once took a year’s leave of absence to act as the lead prosecutor in the Nuremberg Trials, said, “The Constitution is not a suicide pact.” In this time of emergency, that sentiment is particularly relevant. Let us tread carefully, though. It would be far too easy for the principles of democracy to disappear forever in the wave of fear and rage that is understandably overtaking the nation.
Diligence, then, as difficult as that may be. The U.S. administration is operating under unprecedented secrecy. This might be understandable to some degree; foreign-controlled terrorists have already proven that they can assimilate into American society with frightening ease. Even if that were not the case, the global nature of modern media dictates the need for secrecy. Freedom of the press is ill justification to risk the lives of allied service people at home and abroad.
That said, let us be keenly aware that an atmosphere of secrecy is an ideal environment for elements of our government who are not acting on behalf of the people. This is not paranoia or anti-government rhetoric; individuals and entire departments from every branch of government have demonstrated in the past that they are not to be trusted. It would be foolhardy indeed to assume that similarly dangerous elements are not existent in our government today. Even as we support our armed forces, let us continue to be diligent against those who would destroy us from within.
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