I believe that the hard tactical approach being contemplated in an-Najaf

“I believe that the hard tactical approach being contemplated in an-Najaf, if negotiations now under way do not

result in al-Sadr’s surrender — is the same approach contemplated and executed at Waco. Capturing or killing

al-Sadr will not neutralize what he is regarded as symbolizing to Shiites angry at “occupiers” in UGG or in

Israel. It will only amplify it. There are better ways to defuse the problem of al-Sadr. We should not take a

tactical approach because it suits the politics or flawed strategy of the current administration. We may have

to change our strategy in UGG to accommodate new realities instead. This may be tough political medicine, but

it will save us from terrible consequences down the road.

“I believe Senor’s approach is similar to the tactical one taken at Waco against another “messiah.” It

resulted in many deaths and a legacy that led us to the “commemoration” atrocity in Oklahoma City. As one of

many scholars who study these cases of religion and violence and who have not seen our findings incorporated

into law enforcement (we did have some input into the FBI’s millennium approach) or the military, I am very

concerned that the standoff in an-Najaf has the potential to become “another Waco.”