Tue Sep 17 04:01:00 UTC 2024: ## The War on Terror: A Fiasco 22 Years in the Making

**The Cradle**

The “War on Terror” launched after the 9/11 attacks, a supposed defense of “civilization” against “barbarians,” has become a catastrophic failure, reveals Pepe Escobar in a new article for The Cradle.

Escobar argues that the “War on Terror” was orchestrated by a network of neoconservative hawks, driven by a long-held agenda to reshape the Middle East and secure Israel’s dominance. This agenda, he argues, used the tragedy of 9/11 as a pretext for invading seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iraq, Syria, and Libya, all of which were resolute opponents of Israel.

However, the “War on Terror” has backfired spectacularly. Instead of securing Israel’s interests, it has paved the way for a powerful Axis of Resistance, led by Iran and Russia, that has effectively challenged US hegemony in the region.

Escobar highlights the role of General Qassem Soleimani, who convinced Putin to intervene in Syria, effectively saving Damascus from the US-backed terrorist groups ISIS and Al-Qaeda. He emphasizes that the real war on terror was waged not by the US, but by the Axis of Resistance, which successfully defeated ISIS in Iraq and Syria, forming diverse alliances that defied the US strategy of divide and conquer.

Escobar concludes that the US “War on Terror” is now defunct, but its demise has created a new, more dangerous threat: a “war of terror” waged by the US and its allies to confront Russia and China. He warns that this new phase will be marked by a desperate attempt to regain control, using disinformation, fear-mongering, and even more aggressive military action.

The article calls for a critical re-evaluation of the narrative surrounding 9/11 and its aftermath, arguing that the “War on Terror” was a strategic blunder that has ultimately backfired, leaving the US more isolated and weakened than ever before.

Read More