Real Terrorism: Operation Eternal Darkness

[DISCLAIMER]

When serving in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps (1996-2007), I was taught that terrorism was the use of violence against noncombatants to achieve political or ideological aims. Generally, such terroristic action involves intention (a determination to act in a certain way).

To draw a meaningful distinction, I invite you to consider two hypothetical scenarios. Scenario one: A U.S. Marine expeditionary force deliberately targets a village of civilians in which combatants are believed to be hiding. The intentional use of violence in this regard is terroristic.

Scenario two: A missile fired from a U.S. Marine helicopter malfunctions and a building in which nonmilitary citizens is struck, mistakenly killing the noncombatant residents therein. The unintentional use of violence in this event, although unfortunate, isn’t considered terroristic.

Providing context for the definition of terrorism that I was taught when in the military, I now encourage you to contemplate words from the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu who in 1986 stated:

What terrorists do is target the innocent, deliberately. And therefore, my definition of terrorism is the systematic and deliberate attack—the murder, maiming, and menacing of innocents, civilians for political goals.

When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I find defining terms useful to avoid confusion. Even if one doesn’t care for the character of Netanyahu, one can concur with his historical definition of terrorism that comports with reality.

Regarding this topic, I think of the song “Real Terrorism” by lyricists Greenie and KRS-One from the album It’s All Good (Krs-One Presents Greenie) (2010). Specifically, I contemplate the following lyrics:

[Verse 1: Greenie]

Dear Uncle Sam, I hope they bump this jam

It ain’t just about Iraq—or that shit in Iran

Them civilians you (done) killed in Afghanistan

Who wasn’t even part of no Taliban

Who was you killin’ out in Pakistan?

Who was you rapin’ back in Vietnam?

What you done did to them Africans?

Or the genocide you did to them Indians?

If terrorists only kill civilians

Then why you done killed over a million?

Hey, KRS-One, come and back me

I mean—if you was an Iraqi, would you really be happy? (Hell no)

The U.S. invaders show up, shootin’ and blastin’

Thousands of civilians, yo, here’s all I’m askin’

(September 11th done changed the world?)

[Chorus]

Which one, which one, which is the real terrorism?

The Indian genocide, or a Taliban prison?

Which one, which one, which is the real terrorism?

Iraqis who fight back, or Bush’s invasion?

Which one, which one? I say they all terrorism

Hijackin’ 200, and the enslavement of millions

On the hip hop track, both lyricists express critical thinking about actions committed by the U.S.—which are ostensibly terroristic, and those acts of entities which oppose the U.S.—which are also seemingly terroristic. Thus, “real terrorism” is criticized no matter who commits terror.

Allow me to now set aside abstraction of music and hypothetical scenarios. For improved understanding, I now invite you to consider what I stated in There’s a War Goin’ on Outside, That’s Just the Way It Is:

Now, consider that one source states, “At least 175 people, most of them likely children, were killed in a strike on a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran on Saturday [2/28/2026], health officials and Iranian state media said.” For illustration purposes, suppose the U.S. killed the kids. […]

Reportedly, three U.S. military service personnel were killed in Iran’s retaliatory actions after the U.S. initiated warlike strikes against a sovereign nation. Just as the killing of children at a school is something I consider unfortunate, so, too, are the lost lives of U.S. military personnel.

Regarding the aforementioned killing of noncombatants, one source states, “The Feb. 28 [2026] strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building was the result of a targeting mistake by the U.S. military.” For the sake of argument, suppose the event was actually unintentional.

From this charitable view, the deaths of at least 175 people—“most of them likely children”—wouldn’t be classified as terrorism. I don’t maintain this generous perspective, because the U.S. and Israel started the 2026 war in Iran (and elsewhere), though I can comprehend how others do.

Turning from this apparently non-terroristic event during which noncombatants were killed during the aforementioned school bombing, I now focus on Operation Eternal Darkness. For context, one source states:

On 8 April 2026, shortly after the announcement of a ceasefire to the 2026 Iran war, Israel launched attacks across Lebanon, killing at least 303 people [as of now]. The casualty count was among the highest of the 2026 Lebanon war, and Israel itself described them as its most powerful attacks on Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dubbed the attacks Operation Eternal Darkness, which included airstrikes and artillery shelling, and said it only hit “terror targets” belonging to Hezbollah. However, other observers said the attacks were not targeted and occurred in civilian areas of Lebanon, including in Beirut.

Hospitals in Beirut were flooded by casualties. The surprise attacks, consisted of around 100 airstrikes, occurred in densely populated areas. The actual military gains of the attack are assessed as “limited” by a BBC report.

For the sake of argument,  though I don’t concur with a charitable view, I’m willing to entertain the notion that bombing of the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building was unintentional and therefore not an act of terrorism. Yet, the same isn’t true of Operation Eternal Darkness.

100 airstrikes in “densely populated areas” which resulted in the death of noncombatants is intentional and therefore is an act of terrorism. In fact, it may be logically and reasonably argued that the IDF—with support of the U.S.—has engaged in real terrorism for quite some time!

According to Netanyahu’s own definition of terrorism, the case I’ve outlined herein is factual. Moreover, U.S. President Donald Trump apparently refuses to divert funding and military support regarding these terroristic actions. Thus, that makes the U.S. complicit in terrorism!

Now, I invite you to consider that REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

From the perspective of USA, I recognize that I control only my reaction to matters addressed herein. Regarding a UOA view, I understand that I’m unlikely to influence U.S. politicians who support Israel and associated acts of terrorism. Also, from a ULA outlook, war is inevitable.

Through rational use of UA, I’m not unhealthily disturbed (e.g., enraged) by beliefs about how the military in which I once served and the nation which I once volunteered to protect is ostensibly engaged in real terrorism—even if only adjacently, given Operation Eternal Darkness.

Rather, I’m healthily distressed (e.g., disappointed) by beliefs about these matters. Personally, distress is preferable to disturbance—as I’m not currently willing to consider indifference to the suffering of others in the Middle East at this time. Thus, UA affords me an optimal outcome.

How about you? Presuming you don’t engage in escapism and avoidance—willfully remaining indifferent to the anguish of other fallible human beings, are you willing to use UA with an interest and goal of remaining sane? You can’t stop real terrorism, though you can stay sane!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, Designed by Freepik, fair use

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