For those in the American elite who have always hated intellectual dissident Noam Chomsky for yapping at their heels, things have just become worse. With precision and tenacity, Chomsky now takes the battle right into the heart of the American government rhetoric surrounding the September 11 terror attacks.
The book is a collection of interviews with Chomsky in the first month following the attacks on the World Trade Centre, which were an indirect result of American policy in the Middle East. Chomsky calls the United States “a leading terrorist state”; it was condemned by the World Court in 1986. The US is engaged in “propping up oppressive regimes” such as Saudi Arabia (with a human rights record not much different to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan).
“There is little doubt,” says Chomsy, “that the perpetrators come from the terrorist network that has its roots in the mercenary armies that were trained, and armed by the CIA […] and others,” he writes.
But the celebrated linguist and political commentator is by no means on the side of Osama bin Laden and his comrades. He is morally unambiguous. Terrorism is wrong, no matter who sponsors it. (Though he is sometimes over the top in some of his comparisons.)
As a voice of radical reason, 9-11 is crucial. Chomsky sheds light on the cold cynicism and ruthlessness of American politicking. He puts the attacks in context. If you’re tired of the gospel according to CNN, you should not miss this book.