In a recent article by Alex Rodriguez in the LA Times entitled "Pakistan sends former Taliban fighters to militant rehab." Rodriguez tells how former Taliban fighters participate in " deradicalization" programs, taking place in countries such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, which are designated to re-educate former and present radical fighters bound against the U.S. One individual participating in the program, "Ahmed", claims "I would never admire what i did 11 years ago." and "It was a blunder on my part. I was immature, but it was my decision, and i am still paying the price for it." Rodriguez informs his readers on two main ideas, 1. How this helps these individuals 2. How many individuals were affected.
This program, in my opinion, seems to help the well being of those in the wrong by giving them a chance to make it right. Even the level of crimes committed may still be forgiven if stopped. The fact that it has helped one person could possibly have saved one thousand lives in the same time.
From a database of Afghan-trained fighters and extremists monitored by Pakistani authorities, 600 were selected to participate; about half of them agreed. Many had fought with the Afghan Taliban against the U.S.; others came from Pakistani militant groups seen by the West as a continuing threat, including Jaishe-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, the organization behind the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, that resulted in more then 160 deaths.
To me, this is just one step closer to piece between radical members, foriegn and domestic, and those countries affected by acts of terror.
No comments:
Post a Comment