Death and Life: The Difference between the Middle East and the West

In a capitalistic and democratic country, nothing can be better set as it is in the United States of America. Governments, states, societies, organizations, liberties, freedoms, free commerce, and respect for human life also characterizes the north- American nation. The citizens, by history and by default, have embraced a way of life totally different from other nations around the world, and it has coined democracy and freedoms as the foundation of its history and life-style, seeing life as a precious and indisputable gift from the heavens. Thoughts contrary to these characteristics are difficult to understand or even to accept to fulfill a healthy and safe way of living. Osama bin Laden knew what is important for all American citizens. He understood and was convinced that the suppression of any freedom would collapse the structure of democracy, its economy, and its socio-political aspect as a nation. He had the best ally to actually present a very strong army of soldiers to fight America and its allies, and to regroup and counterattack at any given time, something that the United States does not venerate: Death.

I will associate death with the Middle East and life with the United States. Bin Laden stated: “We love death. The US loves life. That is the difference between us two.” This is the starting point of the best strategy of war and the West has to pay attention to the seriousness of radicalism, and has to understand that this is an irreversible philosophy: Radicalism and death versus democracy and life. The average American citizen does not know or cannot explain why radical Muslims hate the United States of America; neither can explain why they attacked the World Trade Center and why terrorist groups continue to recruit to attack Americans. The United States has spent over $1.3 trillion on the fight against terrorism, almost quadruple of expenses during World War I and sacrificed the lives of 6,000 soldiers and the count continues (Vu, 2011). Thousands of family members mourn their combatants and tears seem to never stop. The American soldier does everything possible to avoid death; the radical fighter does everything possible to die for the cause. This is a substantial difference that the average person does not comprehend. America protects the freedom of religion and promotes good relations among all members; it is in the form of one nation and many religions. The Muslim world protects Islam and promotes it across the globe; it is in the form of one religion and many nations.
Both approaches collide when one side supports the State of Israel and the other does not recognize it as State and is committed to its total destruction as well as the annihilation of the Jewish people. The Muslim world sees the United States as their main enemy due to the support to Israel.
Hopefully the next White House administration will not only recognize Iran, Syria, Palestine, and Afghanistan as the latent source of terrorism against the world, and directly against the State of Israel, but to take a decisive, strong, and effective approach toward these states that sponsor terrorism.