While most Americans approve of the way their government is handling the anti-terror campaign at home and abroad, thousands of people worldwide (Americans included) have taken to the streets in protest of the war in Afghanistan. These demonstrators are merely the tip of the iceberg among those who see such action as arrogant and autocratic.

Malaysian students, though relatively less expressive, share such anti-war sentiments in their silence. Despite the impression that these sentiments are only linked to religious or conspiracy-based reasoning, there are however, the liberals who base their arguments on certain universal beliefs that even the American government (herein after referred to as 'America') has always wanted to be associated with.

The believers of peace, for instance, go by the simple argument that war, in itself, constitutes terror. The deaths of innocent Afghan civilians, including the reported UN workers, bear witness to this. After the Sept 11 attacks, the last thing that this devastated world need is more deaths and destruction.

Ending terrorism by committing terror is like putting out fire with fire, or with fuel, that would ignite more prejudice and hatred. By taking away lives in achieving what they construe as justice, America becomes terrorists all the same.

The liberals believe that this war, aimed at crippling Al-Qaeda and showing the Taliban (and other nations) and the consequences of not giving in to America's demands, would only defeat its purpose, for it would provoke more anti-American sentiments, thus give a boost to the rise of terrorists.

Some take a step further in saying that wars are good news to business interests of military-linked corporations. Thus these corporations, along with countries that harbour terrorists, are the true world terrorists. Besides that, they feel that humanitarian aid for the Afghans, although very much appropriate and welcomed, does not make a war any more righteous.

Believers of human rights see President Bush no less guilty than other leaders on the basis of disrespect towards democracy, the rule of law and natural justice in a global perspective. As of now, the evidence confirming Osama bin Laden's involvement in the Sept 11 attacks has yet to be shown to the court of world public opinion. Bush should first be doing his best to convince the world about his guilty verdict upon Osama before even thinking of military offence. By disregarding the voice of the world population, Bush is seen as betraying global democracy.

On rule of law, the liberals ask is it wise to allow a government the absolute discretion to define and punish terrorists. Punishment without conviction, especially to the innocent, is draconian, no matter who executes it. Bush says the Taliban refused to turn over Osama, but he himself had refused to negotiate or share the evidence despite the Taliban's repeated call for negotiation and evidence.

Bush should not expect co-operation when he himself does not co-operate by giving the Taliban their rights to be heard and the rights to necessary information.

The liberals are not in support of the extremist and oppressive Taliban rule, but they see that America can be no better. People who condemn the war probably share some of these views, for they do seem to hold logic. However, polls show that most Americans, relying on their media, do not feel the slightest worry about what their government is doing may be wrong. Some are even calling for the expansion of the war to other countries besides Afghanistan. Such sentiments within the American public would only put peace in a further back seat should it eventually influence American policies. When prejudicial fear, anger and hatred rules, everyone will inevitably suffer.

America is a powerful nation, and its policies affect the world. This is probably why others would want to have participation in American policies, and some sadly resort to terrible means. However, if we want American foreign policies to improve for the rest of the world, then we should apply legitimate strategies in conveying our message of justice to America.

An avenue that we could focus on is probably the American public, which would be more persuasive to the American government than the UN itself. On-going inter-cultural dialogues and sharing ideals with the American people are necessary to win over their support to improve their government's foreign policies. Such effort should be consistent, and adaptable to American lifestyle, pop-culture, art, literature, etc.

Assistance must be given to organisations already doing this. If the views of the rest-of-the-world were ever going to make its way as a mainstream in the bustling American marketplace of ideas, the views should at first be convincing, diplomatic and full of sensitivity towards American values. Confrontational is the last thing it should be.

We ought to know better than to treat America the way it has treated its opponents. The 21st century is not a time for terror and war. It is time to be a little wiser.