The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Opinion / Is the war on terror up for debate?

Is the war on terror up for debate?

October 31, 2019 by Dillon Daniel

Since the Persian Gulf War, the common depiction of the “enemy of America” has been the Islamic extremists.

Our involvement in the Persian Gulf War, the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism has allowed this idea to blossom into fruition, to allow political candidates to target a growing cultural population in the states.

Many people debate about whether we should have ever been involved in the Middle East. Quite frankly, I believe we do more harm to our image by aiding certain sides in the civil wars that take place overseas.

However, the death of Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi this last Sunday and Osama Bin Laden in May 2011 reveal that the United States is leading the fight against large terrorist operations.

The United States has learned the art of training well-armed, well-prepared special forces operators. Because of the operations under the reigns of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, the world is now without two of some of the most evil men in recent history.

Even without regarding the media’s quick appraisal of 44 and disapproval of 45, it’s not hard to miss that we live in a country that makes ease of dispatching threats to the good of others in nations in disrepair.

Again, actions we make prior to and after these operations are still questionable and should be viewed as such. However, operations such as the dispatch of Bin Laden and al-Baghdadi are integral to the prosperity of freedom across the globe.

Organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS (or ISIL, depending on who you ask) should not be allowed the opportunity to expand and continue. If people are going to be upset whether or not we get involved toppling their regimes, why is it so hard to pick a side?

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Other Opinion:

  • Opinion: It’s beginning to look a lot like … Thanksgiving?

  • Opinion: ACU beat itself in the Hundred-Mile Showdown

  • ACU finally played a complete half. Now it needs two.

About Dillon Daniel

You are here: Home / Opinion / Is the war on terror up for debate?

Other Opinion:

  • Opinion: It’s beginning to look a lot like … Thanksgiving?

  • Opinion: ACU beat itself in the Hundred-Mile Showdown

  • ACU finally played a complete half. Now it needs two.

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist

The Optimist

@acuoptimist ·
9 May

BREAKING: The 2026 teacher of the year is Dr. Clint Buck, assistant professor of accounting in the College of Business Administration.

Reply on Twitter 2053158226070257771 Retweet on Twitter 2053158226070257771 Like on Twitter 2053158226070257771 2 Twitter 2053158226070257771
acuoptimist

The Optimist

@acuoptimist ·
4 May

BREAKING NEWS: James Bradshaw and Maddie Grace Fridge are the 2026 Mr. ACU and Miss ACU.

Reply on Twitter 2051110655172784350 Retweet on Twitter 2051110655172784350 Like on Twitter 2051110655172784350 4 Twitter 2051110655172784350

Optimist on Facebook

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
Click to show error
Error: (#200) Provide valid app ID Type: OAuthException

Videos

The Optimist Homecoming 2026 Newscast

In our Homecoming newscast, The Optimist has the latest news on campus and ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast August 28, 2026
  • The Optimist 2026 Graduation Newscast
  • The Optimist 2026 Sing Song Newscast

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2026 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved