Terrorism expert urges U.S. to be vigilant, supportive

By Louis Medina
Diversity Institute Fellow

03.28.06

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America's future looks hopeful but not free from terrorist threats, a former counterterrorism expert told an audience of mostly retired military officers.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Jim Harbison said he was not speaking on behalf of the U.S. government when he outlined a plan Tuesday for increasing military security amid heightened threats from Islamic extremists.

"The worst day in our country still beats the best day anywhere else in the world," Harbison, told the retired servicemen and their wives. However, he added, "Our future is not going to be peaceful for a long time."

At the monthly meeting of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, Harbison said the U.S. strategy should be to protect the country, thwart terrorism, and support the majority of Muslims who are against violent extremism.

Harbison, who spent the last 14 months of his career in Saudi Arabia, stressed that country's strategic importance to the United States. He said it is influential in the Islamic world because it is the birthplace of Islam and is important in the financial world because it controls 40 percent of the world's oil reserves.

"There are only 300 American military in Saudi Arabia," he said. "It's a very, very small effort and it leverages great results."

During a question-and-answer session following his lecture, Harbison said he believes the military is going to be in Iraq "for a while still." He said two events will help determine when a pullout will be successful: the implementation of a proper Iraqi security force and the establishment of a functioning Iraqi government.

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