Fight terror with courts, not armies

The scourge of terrorism is to be found everywhere, and it takes continual vigilance from authorities worldwide to snuff out the threat. It is not limited to any people or religion; rather it is a tool used by the frustrated who are no longer willing to promote their causes by rational argument, and instead turn to violence to frighten others.

Recent events have reminded the world that radicalism can come from almost any source. A Pennsylvania woman, Colleen LaRose, known as Jihad Jane, appeared in court last week in the United States on charges of being part of a conspiracy to murder a Swedish cartoonist who drew offensive pictures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Also last week, a Pakistani court heard terror charges against five Americans three months after they were arrested for plotting attacks with Al Qaida-linked groups. They have also been accused of planning to go to Afghanistan to fight with the Taliban. Two of the Americans are of Pakistani origin, and the other three are of Eritrean, Ethiopian and Egyptian origin.

Rationally, it should not be a surprise that American citizens are being charged with such acts. But it is an emotional shock to note that some Americans have gone so far in their hatred as to plan acts of terror. Like all countries, America is populated by a mixture of all sorts of individuals.

It is important that international authorities remain vigilant in order to track down all terrorists, and bring them to book through the courts of law. The way that the civilised world will win the war against terror is to impose transparent and fair justice on all, and win the war by faith in human values, not in military action.