Because the situation in Mumbai remains fluid, it’s hard to say too much at this early stage. But early reports indicate that today’s terror attacks in India’s most populous city have all the hallmarks of Islamic militant organizations like Al Qaida and other Jihadist driven gangs. The well coordinated sophisticated attacks on multiple locations; the specific targeting of westerners; the fact that no known terror organizations has claimed responsibility (leaving general uncertainty, anxiety, and terror to loom instead); these are all the tried and true techniques of well-oiled terror organizations.
The Taj hotel, the Oberoi Hotel, the JW Marriot, Cafe Leopold – these are all hangouts that I and my colleagues, friends, and family spend considerable time in when in India. They are the locations where a lot of business gets done – at the coffee shops, bars, and expensive restaurants that sit in the hotel lobbies specifically. The terrorist intentions are clear in this regard – to strike at India’s financial hub, to shock and undermine western business interests and investment which in recent years have very much been on the upswing in India.
So now what? Immediate retribution must be quelled. Historically, such Islamic instigated violence in India has triggered vengeful reprisals resulting in the slaughtering of thousands of innocent Muslims across the country. Likewise, many will point to neighboring Pakistan, India’s long-standing rival that again in recent years has served as the training and launching ground for Islamic militants. The temptation to strike deep into the heart of Paksitan will certainly be there if there is any evidence of their regional involvment. Speculation that Paksitan’s intelligence agency the ISI is already rampant.
But, the real problem is MUCH bigger. The real perpitrator here is the global grid of Islamic fanaticism that extends far beyond the Indian subcontinent. In this case, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan may be ground zero for today’s attacks, but the fire that fuels them is planetary. Specfically, the Madrassas – or religious schools – in Pakistan where hatred is bred receive their financing from Saudi sources and other Gulf nations. The fanaticism and hatred itself is largely generated in places like Iran and Palestinian territories. The problem here is deeply rooted in an the inflamed and aggravated epidemic that is Islamic fanaticism.
But of course, we need to even go further. Because where exactly do those Saudi and Gulf sources get their financing? You and me buying their oil. And why exactly is there so much anger and resentment toward the west in places like Palestine and Iran? Because of our mismanaged foreign policy the last twenty years and blind allegiance to the interests of Israel without contemplating the economic consequences on the Islamic world – specifically in the Palestinian territories. And by the way – I am not saying that the US should abandon Israel, but instead carefully construct a new policy with our important ally that may more likely result in a lasting peace.
Alas, now’s not the time to get into a laboarious diatribe about our oil dependence or our foreign policy and blame all the world’s ills on them. But it certainly is time to realize the truly tangled web and context in which today’s attacks occurred. It’ll be all too easy to try and identify the cancer that we all saw today and go and excise it. And by the way, that a necessary procedure. But so is the holistic treatment that must be part of the aftercare, lest we see this malignant terror return in a more virulent form.
Thanks Gotham, it means something coming from someone who knows the place and the history of the problem. Let's hope things have changed enough in the world lately so that we craft a more intelligent response to this attack than we did with the 911 attack.
You hit the nail on the head. Actually its all quite simple. All of this comes down to the Israeli/Palestine issue. Everything comes from that. Until this thing is really solved, and not just some Rose Garden Masquerade, we won't stop it. I think this could be Obama's greatest legacy, if he could solve that.
And it doesn't help things that, Russia, who should be our No.1 ally, whom we simply must have on our side, we have been instigating, spitting in their face, "rubbing it in" so to speak. It's like these Neo Cons want to re open the cold war. They dont represent Americans, but they sure have been running its Foreign Policy. I even heard that Clinton, when he first got into office was going to try to patch things up with Iraq, oh but when the "establishment" got wind of that they squashed it, and so the insane Embargo against Iraq, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis continued. I hope Obama is smart and strong enough to stand against the "weeds" and "tenticles" of the establishment, or neocons or whatever they are called, which seem to sprout up in every oval office, no matter which party.
Solving the Isreali/Palestine issue would be great, however, that is a symptom of a much much deeper problem. These are not a people in touch with the natural state of their souls. We can solve this and give them exactly what they want, but then they'd find something else to fulfill their anger, hate, and violence needs and urges. This has been a way of life for too long. It is all they know. This is something that needs to be tended to from the inside out. It starts with their hearts, and then it will filter into all other aspects of their lives. Again, all we need to do is expand the consciousness of the planet and none of this will exist. People who laugh and say this is all too simplistic in nature to actually occur are the very ones blocking this from happening. What we focus on GROWS. The more we talk, think, and act about these terrorist attacks, the more energy we put into them and the bigger it gets. Let's instead focus on what we do want and put our energy in that direction instead. We want peace, therefore let's make a conscious decision toward that and stop giving our attention to pontificating on terror, violence, and the like. What we think about, we bring about so let's stop these conversations. And I mean that in only the most respectful and loving way.
Namaste,
Krissy
I agree with you Krissy I considered it and realised if I have gone into discussions as to why it happened and the possible causes I would still not be 100% sure no matter how brilliant I was or if I was a leading mind on these relations (which Im obviously not anyway) etc. And to me I figured such discussions would just be me extending my ego…you know this is what my little ole brain thinks of all of this…it is why instead I just decided to ask people to come together in universal collective prayer for all spirits in the universe. Blessings to you and hope you join in your energy with us as we prayer for peace…and as you say no matter how simplistic it may seem and how many laugh at us…I mean I've been taking part in Lyn Mc Taggart's Peace Intention Experiments and know some might think that 'airy fairy' but I'm hoping one day soon scientists will be able to show the figures on paper…Until then no better time to put to use the learnings of that experiment to use than now!
Blessings,
Babita
Hello Gotham,
Thank you for sharing your insights and understanding of what has transpired in Mumbai. After reading your post while doing the dishes, a quote popped into my head from Albert Einstein
"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." At what level of consciousness are these attacks occurring and what level of consciousness must they be solved in? Something to ponder…. Thank you for sharing and opening my awareness. With Gratitude. Martha Lucier
Gotham – You make the point with clarity and familiarity that there are many "arteries" feeding the heart of Islamic terrorism. I hope world leaders reflect on these many faceted issues and find the courage to pursue the holistic treatment that you rightfully prescribe. I will continue to pray for your family and friends there along with all of India and its continued economic and social well being. Love, Greg