What Does the Kenyan Mall Attack Mean for America?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack/index.html
The smoke has yet to clear over the mall in Kenya, but there is already some information emerging that there was an American connection. Al-Shaabab, a Somalian terrorist group, has claimed that at least three of the attackers are American citizens. In fact, according to Al-Shaabab at least half of the terrorist strike team is composed of citizens of Western nations like Canada and Britain.

Somali refugees have been given asylum in the West since images of starving Somali children flooded the TV in the 1990s. America temporarily got involved in trying to fix Somalia until our own troops started dying in a conflict that we didn't really understand. While we could not fix the country, we opened our doors to help as many as we could. Many Somalis embraced the American dream, but others maintained their connections to their homeland. In fact, American intelligence sources suspect that some of the Somalis radicalized and returned to Africa to fight with groups like Al-Shaabab. At this moment we cannot be sure if Americans were involved in the attack, but that scenario is certainly plausible.

If there are people living in the United States willing to attack a shopping mall in Kenya, why not here? Unfortunately an attack on an American shopping mall is not merely a fictional plot device (though it did happen in a Tom Clancy novel), but a real concern. With the Christmas shopping season just beginning, packed malls will provide an enticing target for those who want to create mayhem and bloodshed.

It is not my intent to be an alarmist. I simply want to acknowledge the potential of a serious threat and to consider what we should do in response. We should not turn to religious intolerance or racial discrimination. A Medieval crusader mentality will accomplish nothing but a continuing cycle of bloodshed.  There are some real steps that we should take in anticipation of terrorism on American soil.

First, we must be vigilant. Individual citizens can no longer turn a blind eye to suspicious behavior in the hope that someone else will respond. If you see someone acting suspiciously or something that does not look quite right, it is okay to notify mall security. If you doubt the competency of mall security, then contact local law enforcement. This does not mean that we panic over every Taco Bell bag abandoned on a table at the food court. Simply keep your eyes open and use your best judgment to make note of potential problems. Keep in mind that most malls are gun free zones (not something that I necessarily agree with) and flagrant displays of weapons is probably a danger sign (legitimate gun owners are not going to brandish weapons at JCPennys).

Second, know how to respond to a crisis. Of course, this step assumes the fruition of the worst case scenario. The first priority in a crisis is not to take photos with your phone for Twitter. Instead of reading your Facebook feed as you enter a store or office, it would be better to take note of emergency exits and resources like fire extinguishers. Unless you are a trained Army Ranger, or your name is John McClane, your primary goal in a terrorist attack is to evade and escape from the terrorists. After you have gotten to safety contact law enforcement to give them as many details as possible before you look for the news crews.

For Christians there are a few more things we must do. Above all else we must pray. Pray for safety and for peace. Pray for the salvation of those who claim to be our enemies. We must love our neighbors and be kind to those who threaten us. True Christianity when threatened does not respond with violence, but with love. With humility and respect we must share the Gospel and support those promote the Gospel. The world is a dangerous place and while we must be vigilant, we must also respond in faith.

Military Action in Syria

It appears inevitable that the U.S. will engage in some degree of hostilities in Syria. The United States opposes the use of chemical weapons, especially against civilians. There has been overwhelming evidence that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against both military and civilian opposition. Morally, many would argue, the U.S. must intervene to end the use of inhumane weapons of mass destruction.

I am not sure to what extent the U.S. should be involved in Syria. Many of the rebels are just as bad as the Syrian government. Many of the rebels are Mujaheddin cut from the same cloth as the ones we trained in Afghanistan that later carried out attacks against America. The human tragedy, though, that is occurring does call for international intervention. Unfortunately, the international community lacks the will or direction to bring any sort of resolution to the calamity. I don't see a change to the situation any time soon.

I am also not sure what the U.S. can do in the current situation. I doubt a barrage of cruise missiles is going to make any difference. The presence of the chemical and biological weapons is a grave concern and a potential threat to the U.S. and its allies. Dealing with those weapon stockpiles is just as complex as the entire question of intervention. It would take prolonged and extensive military operations to secure and properly dispose of the weapons. The U.S. at this time is not willing to commit to that.

I do know that the U.S. will soon act. I also know how many conservatives will respond. Many conservatives will argue that according to the Constitution only Congress can declare war. That is true, but they must also take the War Powers Resolution into account. According to the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the President can take military action as long as he gives Congress 48 hours notice. He does not need Congressional approval for the initial action so long as he notifies them of the action. The military action is limited to 60 days with a 30 day withdrawal period, unless Congress approves further involvement. This act has been controversial since it passed and many have argued that it violates the War Powers Clause of the Constitution.However, it is the law and will remain so until the Supreme Court overturns it or Congress repeals it.

I am a conservative and I do not support the current administration. However, the War Powers Resolution has been used by both Republican and Democratic Presidents. Reagan used it on several occasions. There will be many conservatives who supported Reagan's use of these powers that will quickly condemn Obama for doing the same thing. It will sound more like partisan bickering than actual concern over the situation. Conservatives must be careful in this situation not to let their animus for Obama overrule the need for prudent action.

Again, I don't claim to have all the answers for this situation. I think that the best thing that we can do is to pray. We need to pray for wisdom for our leaders. We need to pray for true peace in the Middle East. We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in the war zone. We need to pray for doors to open for evangelism. Our calls for prayer should be greater than our criticism for the President. And that is true not only for this particular situation, but for every challenge that we face as a nation.