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Islamists claim to wage jihad against the modernism and globlization of the outside, mostly Westernized world. Such a message resonates in the socially and largely economically stagnant Muslim countries, where the blame for all ills is traditionally inculcated against Jews and the prosperous Westernized societies. Of course, while the people of the region may be poor, the Islamist movement isn't. Huge oil profits filter throughout the Muslim world, enabling Islamists to act on their rhetoric, build mosques, attract followers, and to compensate the families of the suicide bombers, even as the large majority continue to live in hopeless squalor, and Western aid is diverted to the pockets of jihadists and corrupt leaders. There is still another reason for the rise of Islamists: They sense a new hesitation and uncertainty of purpose in the West. Westerners appear to them to be weak and vulnerable, paralyzed over oil prices and supplies, fears of terrorism, and from accusations of racism and bigotry. Eager to create huge trading blocks, national identities and soverignties have been weakened and obscured, and immigrants have failed to assimilate into the cultures of their adopted new countries. And so the Islamists have waged a brilliant propaganda war, adopting for their constituencies the role of victims of past and current Western colonialism, imperialism and racism. In turn, much of the world seems paradoxically desperate to tolerate the Islamist's own ruthlessness in stifling freedom, oppressing women and intolerantly killing nonbelievers of Islam. So how, aside from killing jihadist terrorists, can we defend ourselves against the insidious spread of radical Islam, whose very foundations seem at odds with peaceful, civilized, and democratic Western society? Here are a few starting suggestions: - Continually, bluntly, and pointedly identify radical Islam for what it is, as fascist, oppressive, and totilitarian - without worrying whether some Muslims take offense when we will talk honestly about the extremists in their midst.
- Continually speak out against the voices, front groups, shills, and apologists for Islamist intolerance and radical Islamic ideologies. Encourage and support the voices of genuine Islamic moderation and reform, and those who speak out against the radicals and jihadists within their own faith. Challenge the claims of Islam being a religion of peace, and insist that such claims be supported through actions, and not just empty words.
- Continue to encourage and support consensual, democratic governments in the Middle East and beyond that offer people security and prosperity, while distancing ourselves from illegitimate dictators, especially in Syria and Iran, that promote terrorists and radical Islamic ideologies.
- Establish that no more autocracies in the Middle East and Asia will be allowed to aquire nuclear technologies or weapons, and enforce it.
- Deal, and negotiate, tough and smart with nations and groups within the Islamic regions. Understand that the Qur'an makes virtuous the deception of unbelievers (non-Muslims), and that the cultural mindset considers openness and honesty as a weakness, and as an open invitation to exploit and to take advantage. What is said in English for the rest of the world is often quite different than what is said in their native language to their own people. The goal of Islam is to dominate, and not to "get along", except as necessary in the short term to deceive the non-believers, and to gain the advantage.
- Seek energy independence through the simultaneous free-market development of alternative energy sources, conservation, and increased domestic oil production, that would collapse the world price of oil, thus curbing petrodollar subsidies for terrorists and easing our own need to appease rather than to confront their benefactors.
- Identify, celebrate, appreciate, and promote the unique history, values and traditions of free and democratic Western civilization, to show the world (as well as Muslims and Islamists) that we have nothing to apologize for - and that we are not the problem but rather a solution to the ongoing conditions of poverty, oppression, violence, hatred, and despair which are the legacy of their Islamic past, and which does not hold the key to their future.
- Finally, stay strong and confident in a world-wide global struggle, in which our will, unity, and morale are every bit as important (if not more important) as our overwhelming military strength. We will only lose if we lose our will, or lose sight of that which we defend.
- The jihadists claim that we are weak spiritually, but our past global ideological enemies - Nazism, fascism, Japanese militarism and communism - quickly discovered otherwise, and all failed. And so will the Islamists.
Thanks to Victor Davis Hanson, RealClearPolitics.com
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