I think the ability to attack the west has changed over the years.? But there really isn't that many gaps when you consider the other places they have attacked, most of which were before the war in Iraq.? This is exactly how terrorism works, they use one issue as the reason for attacks.? Then when we pull out they will use a different reason, perhaps our support for Israel.? Next, they will use another reason, perhaps Catholicism.? Then another and another.
They'll always have reasons.
But I just don't understand how you can deny the fact that thee might be some connection between the attacks in Madrid and London and the war.
I am not denying that there is a link, but I don't think that it is the link that many think it is. You (not to put words in your mouth) seem to think that they attacked Britain and Spain because they were part of the war in Iraq and were offended that the west is meddling in their affairs. I on the other hand, believe that they attacked because they know that they can scare other countries, that may or may not be easier to attack than the US, from helping us. The news today in this intercepted letter states that Al Qaeda is making their stand in Iraq. If that is true, wouldn't it be a good strategy to try and prevent other countries from helping. By scaring other countries from participating in the war, they have a much better chance of victory there. The US on the other hand knows better. We were attacked before the war, thus the argument that being in Iraq is the reason for more attacks would not fly here.
But the strategy is brilliant, and I think that it is working.? They are trying to isolate the U.S. by threatening attacks against anyone that helps the U.S. in its war on terror.?
I think the whole Western world is helping in that war. Just because our countries aren't taking part in the war in Iraq doesn't mean we're not working against international terrorism.
Again, I am not trying to claim that the rest of the world is not helping in Iraq. However, the main fighting ground right now is in Iraq, whether you like it our not; or whether you agreed with the war or not. Helping with intelligence or other ways is just not as important as defeating terrorists in Iraq. Certainly, anyone that claims the rest of the world is not working against terrorism is absurd. But, the most important battle against terrorism right now, whether it was created by the US or not, is in Iraq; a war that the US is getting less and less support for by the day.