[radikal]

http://www.spiked-online.com/Printable/0000000CA492.htm

Creating the enemy

by Brendan O'Neill


On Thursday 11 March 2004, terrorists planted bombs on trains in Madrid which killed more than 200 people.


Within days, eight million Spaniards had taken to the streets to 'march against terrorism'. Spain's Popular Party, which had looked set to win the general election, was voted out of office. The victorious Socialist Party threatened to withdraw Spanish troops from the 'disaster' of Iraq. US President George W Bush and UK prime minister Tony Blair were 'fighting to prevent the coalition in Iraq from falling apart'. London Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens declared that a terrorist attack on London, whether on a train, bus or in a nightclub, was 'inevitable'. London Underground police announced that passengers on the Tube would be randomly stopped and their bags searched. And EU member states debated whether they should set up a 'European CIA' or install an 'anti-terrorism czar' in order to 'keep Europe safe' (1).


The Madrid attack was horrific. But how did a handful of terrorists cause such widespread fear and consternation throughout the capitals of Europe and the USA? How can terrorists provoke states to reorganise their security systems and to bunker down lest they become the 'next Madrid'? The answer is, they cannot - unless we allow them to.



At about 22 pages it's rather long but it should be required reading for everyone here.