Anti-terrorism [By Zhai Haijun/China.org.cn]

Even before the recent horrific terrorist attacks in Paris and Mali, the purpose of the U.S. "war on terror" as stated in words was to fight "Islamic terrorism" and "jihadism." But facts show each time the U.S. and its allies have launched a war in the Middle East it has been followed by a great strengthening and not weakening of "jihadism." Taking events in order:

? Before the invasion of Iraq in 2003 Al Qaeda/ISIS type forces were marginal and powerless in that country - today ISIS controls large parts of Iraq.

• Before the 2011 NATO bombing of Libya, ISIS and Al Qaeda forces were totally powerless in Libya, now they control large parts of Libya.

• Not merely do jihadists dominate much of Libya but they are able to use that control to supply weapons to, thereby reinforcing, jihadist forces such as Boko Haram in Nigeria, Al-Shabaab in Somalia and Kenya, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Al Mourabitounin Mali.

• Under the previous regime of Assad, jihadists were powerless in Syria, today there is ample evidence that U.S. allies Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey have been actively supporting and supplying ISIS, while jihadist organizations control large parts of Syria.

When the factual results of a policy, that is the great strengthening of jihadists, differ so entirely and repeatedly from the stated U.S. aim, to fight jihadists, it is necessary to examine this pattern carefully to see what is really going on. As the wise saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words. What therefore is the reality as opposed to the myth of the US "war on terror?"