I believe that Britain's experience of terrorism does give it some grounds to be critical of the present US approach to what is NOT A NEW PROBLEM.
The instinctive general reaction to Irish terrorism over here has usually been to acknowledge some historical responsibility for the hostility which lies behind support for the terrorists, even if that historic guilt (Cromwell, unfair treatment of the once-minority Catholic population in the north) did not justify the terror unleashed upon us. But we do have the humility and realism to acknowledge that we may occasionally have done the wrong thing. And while making a robust military response against our enemies we have followed a dual track approach, trying to cut support from under the terrorists by enfranchising and aiding the nationalist community and by interacting with their legitimate representatives. We never went and carpet-bombed the Irish Republic (where many active terrorists 'hung out') nor the USA, despite its tendedncy to provide money, support and sustenance. And while we encouraged friendly nations to condemn IRA terrorism, we did not insist that they should validate our every policy on Ireland without question or comment, recognising that it was possible to be both against terrorism and at the same time critical of us. We may not have got it right, but we did at least try to do the right thing. I applaud Bush's patience so far, and his courage in resisting red-neck demands for immediate and indiscriminate retaliation. My worry is that the response now being prepared will fall short of what we would expect from the leader of the free world, and the world's avowed leader of democracy and freedom.
Interesting that the Gulf Co-operation Council and the EU's foreign ministers have all reacted similarly, with unlimited sympathy for the US and unreserved condemnation of the 'perps', but expressing a measure of concern over the proposed reaction.....
PS Desperado. So sorry you felt patronised. Yes, have visited the ME, btw, and yes, have talked to many Arabs (christian and moslem) and Jews. (Oh, and yes, also studied modern history to degree level and beyond, specialising in the history of the Middle East since 1900). But what do I know, liberal git that I am, crammed with book learning and taught by bearded lefties. And with regard to Syria, even Assad Sr softened his stance on Israel before he died, and his son has taken the process further. (Oh, and he'd stopped flying MiG-21s by the time he was president, too, BTW, in case that's news......)