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Document created: 25 March 02
Aerospace Power Journal - Spring 2002
Republished with permission of the author
Fighting Stupid, Defending Smart
Col Richard Szafranski, USAF, Retired
Editorial Abstract: Are America
’
s terrorist enemies smart or stupid? From the attacks of 11
September 2001, the author deduces that their intent is to destroy our economic strength and
that by openly announcing their strategy, they have committed a cardinal error. He argues that
a smart defense concentrates on defending the pillars of US economic strength while
conducting the offensive war against terrorism.
To bend the enemy’s will, one must put him in intolerable
circumstances; and the best way to do that is to attack directly
the defenseless population of his cities and great industrial
centers. It is as sure as fate that, as long as such a direct
method of attack exists, it will be used.
THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT Americans were attacked and murdered on 11 September 2001. The war that
“many of us feared and anticipated,” to use Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Dov S. Zakheim’s words,
has arrived.
1
The enemy abducted and used instruments of American global aerospace power—our own fuel-
and passenger-laden long-range commercial airliners—against us with hateful and perhaps strategic effect. The
attacks seemed directed against our people- our most precious asset- and the enemy’s objective appeared to be
the destruction of the physical symbols of America’s greatness. However, evidence is developing that the enemy
intended more than symbolic attacks and mass murders: the real objective was to destroy America’s economic
strength.
The war is on. Americans, our friends, and allies must be determined that history will show that the enemy was
stupid. That history can be written only if we hunt, capture, and bring our enemies to justice; ceaselessly work
to eradicate terrorism; and successfully defend ourselves in the interim. Appreciating the enemy’s aims is key to
an intelligent defense.
