War on Terror

Rebuttals: Pro argues that despite the extensive damage and vast numbers of people that have been killed as a result of the war on terror. Over 114,000 Iraqi civilians were killed during the U. S invasion alone [9. ] . http://www.theguardian.com... In Afghanistan almost 18,000 people have been killed over the past decade, according to statistics published in 2015 [10. ] . http://www.theguardian.com...There is in fact *no* evidence presented by Pro to show that the number of deaths--in both the Middle East and the West, would actually be higher than it is no. I will highlight once again that the U. S army [and U. K within Afghanistan] have significantly contributed to civilian deaths, and to considerably more of those that would have occurred if an invasion[s] had not taken place. As outlined in my opening argument, the U. S invasion of Iraq also destabilized the country and caused the insurgence from groups like ISIS. Pro has completely misunderstood the *fact* that under Saddam Hussein and his governance, all extremist [specifically Sunni] fractions were controlled within the country and minorities had the rights protected. Whereas now, Christians are told that they have to pay a high Jizya [tax] or are either forced to convert to Islam or killed; this applies to all ISIS controlled areas, which are gradually expanding. The Iraqi army is presently trying to retake the city of Ramadi, which ISIS captured in May. However there has been very little success so far [11. ] . http://www.ibtimes.com...Referring to the hardship that is inflicted on Christians, a people that lived permanently within the region for thousands of years and are now having to leave their ancient homeland behind. Some of the Christians are simply given no other option of escaping into surrounding countries, and others are given charitable support by individuals and/or organizations [12. ] . http://www.algemeiner.com... #An Iraqi priest describes here how 10,000 Christians left Ankawa, a Christian community in Erbil [13. ] . http://news.nationalpost.com... It's also been reported on by the U. N how ISIS often resort to beheading followers of Christianity, including children--as well as actually burying them alive [13. ] . http://www.cbn.com...Additionally, in both Syria and Iraq there's been many cases of crucifixion [14. ] . http://www.westernjournalism.com... and along with beheading, this is a threat that all Christians face [15. ] . http://aclj.org...Alluding again to the amount of Christians that are having to flee the Middle East [16. ] . http://www.newsweek.com... Once again, the primary relevance of this is that it would simply not be happening if the U. S had not of invaded Iraq and if this war on terror was not being perpetrated. On the contrary to decreasing extremism within the Middle East, it has caused more of it and brought persecution on the very people that have resided there for centuries and have ancient ties to the region. Another major negative to the war on terrorism is that promotes fear to those in the West, which can be seen in the case of 9/11 and how it was used to justify an all-out invasion on two different countries that had absolutely nothing to do with the attacks. The War on Terror is merely about control, not protection of people in the west or actually the removal of terrorist groups; as can be seen in the example of ISIS, a group that has drastically grew in strength and power since Saddam Hussein was assassinated. Pro has failed to provide a valid reason for why this war is justified and to why it should continue. Especially as I've pointed out that less people would be killed if the war on terror was to stop. One very contradictory aspect to it is that the U. S has consistently aided terrorist groups in the Middle East, such as the Al-Nusra front. [17. ] . http://www.globalresearch.ca...The White House has in fact explicitly admitted to sending 'lethal' aid to the Syrian rebels [18. ] . http://rt.com...==Concluding Argument== It seems clear that Pro has thoroughly failed to comprehend the *real* impacts of the War on Terror and even promotes some kind of 'global' war directed not only at the Middle East but on the entire world. However, as I have explained in both rounds, such a war only leads to more civilian deaths and more destabilization of countries. We are simply not 'fighting for a better world" [as Pro claims] if people are forced to suffer unjustly, killed, and removed from their homelands; which is exactly what is now happening to Christians in the Middle East. Instead of protecting the good, the U. S has nurtured the bad and for these people it is not a 'dream' but rather a 'nightmare'. These are the realities of war, and they must be recognized.