October 23, 2003 8:02 PM

Before 9.11, there was 10.23

Twenty years ago today, a suicide bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives up to the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. Moments later, 241 US Marines lay dead in the rubble of what had been their barracks. The guards to the complex patrolled with unloaded weapons, and the US rules of engagement almost invited an attack on any American interests. Once the USS New Jersey began shelling the Shouf Mountains, it became clear to the locals that the Americans were NOT in Lebanon as peacekeepers. Once that realization took hold, Americans became what everything else in Beirut was in 1983- a legitimate target.

Soon after the bombing, Ronald Reagan pulled US troops out of Lebanon, proving to anyone paying attention that terrorism works. There are those who would argue that 10.23.83 laid the groundwork for 9.11.01, and it would be tough to argue the point. Beirut showed that all it takes to curb American resolve is to catch us at our weakest moment. Of course, American troops abroad today aren't shackled by the ridiculous rules of engagement that troops in Lebanon were saddled with- guards with unloaded weapons in a war zone??- but we are still paying the price from 10.23.83.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on October 23, 2003 8:02 PM.

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