Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror

Though U.S. leaders try to convince the world of their success in fighting al Qaeda, one senior member of the U.S. intelligence community would like to inform the public that the United States and its allies are, in fact, losing the war on terror. Further, until U.S. leaders recognize the errant path they have irresponsibly chosen, America’s enemies will only continue to grow stronger. According to the author, the greatest danger for Americans confronting the radical Islamist threat is to believe – at the urging of U.S. leaders – that Muslims attack us for what we are what we think rather than for what we do. Rhetorical political blustering “informs” the public that Islamists are offended by the Western world’s democratic freedoms, civil liberties, intermingling of genders, and separation of church and state. However, although aspects of the modern world may offend conservative Muslims, no Islamist leader has, for example, fomented jihad to destroy participatory democracy, the national association of credit unions, or coed universities. Instead, a growing segment of the Islamic world strenuously disapproves of specific U.S. policies and their attendant military, political, and economic implication. Capitalizing on growing antius U.S. animosity, Osama bin Laden’s genius lies not simply in calling for jihad, but in articulating a consistent and convincing case that Islam is under attack by America and its allies. Al Qaeda’s public statements condemn America’s protection of corrupt Muslim regimes, unqualified support for Israel, the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and a further litany of real-world grievances. Bin Laden’s supporters thus identify their problem and believe its solution lies in war. “Anonymous” contends they will go to any length, not to destroy our secular, democratic way of life, but to deter what they view as specific attacks on their lands, their communities, and their religion. Unless U.S. leaders recognize this fact and adjust their policies abroad accordingly, even moderate Muslims will be radicalized into supporting bin Laden’s anti-Western offensive.