AND : THE PARALLELS
Barry Rubin
Jerusalem Post, November 30, 2008

 For years, has been subjected to periodic terrorist attacks throughout the country. But what happened in Mumbai is something new and different: a full-scale terrorist war. This is the kind of threat and problem has been facing for decades. What are the lessons for from ’s experience?

First, needs and has the right to expect international sympathy and help. It will get sympathy but will it get help? Once it is clear that other countries must actually do something, incur some costs, possibly take some risks, everything changes.

 If the terrorists came from bases or training camps in , would want international action to be taken. must be pressured to close such camps, stop helping terrorists and provide information possessed by Pakistani intelligence agencies. But will Western countries make a real effort? Are they going to impose sanctions on or even denounce it? Will they make public the results of their own investigations about responsibility for the terror campaign against ? Not likely. After all, such acts would cost them money and involve potential risks, perhaps even of the terrorists targeting them. Moreover, they need , especially to cooperate on keeping down other Islamist terrorist threats, not spread around nuclear weapons technology too much and cooperate on maintaining some stability in .

This parallels ’s situation with , and . For decades, the and some European countries have talked to the Syrian government about closing down terrorist headquarters in Damascus . The Syrians merely say no (though sometimes they have just lied and said the offices were closed). The even did impose some sanctions. But by being intransigent, pretending moderation and hinting help on other issues, has gotten out of its isolation. So, despite all the pious talk about fighting terrorism, in real terms, —like —is largely on its own in defending itself from terrorism.

Another problem faces, like in the case of , is that it is dealing with a country that lacks an effective government. is in real terms a state of anarchy. Even within the intelligence apparatus, factions simply do as they please in inciting terrorism.…

So what’s a country to do? It might consider cross-border raids against terrorist camps or retaliation to pressure the terrorist sponsor to desist. Sometimes it will actually take such action. But can depend on international support for such self-defense measures or will it then be labeled an aggressor? How much is willing to risk war with even though it has a legitimate casus belli due to covert aggression against it by that neighbor country? And let’s not forget that has nuclear weapons, a situation which may soon face in regard to …

Finally, there is the dangerous “root cause” argument. Many Western intellectuals and journalists—as well as some governments—are ready to blame the victim of terrorism. In ’s case, despite desperate efforts to promote peace—concessions, territorial withdrawals and the offer of a Palestinian state—it is said to be the villain for not giving the Palestinians enough. The terrorists and their sponsors use this situation to their advantage. By being intransigent—demanding so much and offering so little—they keep the conflict going and are able to pose as victims simultaneously.…

Israel ’s experience offers some lessons: Depend on yourself, be willing to face unfair criticism to engage in self-defense, take counterterrorism very seriously, mobilize your citizens as an active warning system and decide when and where to retaliate. Defending yourself against terrorism is not easy. Unfortunately, even in an era of “war against terrorism” those truly willing to help in the battle are few and far between.…