Empowering moderates is not a new thesis...
Reader comment on item: The Dobbs List: "Militant Islam Reaches America"

Submitted by Amjad M Khan (United States), Sep 12, 2002 at 00:58

Empowering Muslim moderates is not a new and novel concept. This notion has been understood for decades. Moreover, I disagree with the assessment that moderate Muslims are disorganized. A close look at the oppositional movements in Iran and Iraq in particular reveal considerable resource management and strategic, organized movement. Islamists in power in Iran and Iraq suppress these movements rendering them demoralized, but not necessarily disorganized. American policy needs to be shaped in a way that empowers Muslim moderates from within. I think for Bush to thrust Iran in the "axis of evil", for instance, did a disservice to the moderates there that worked painstakenly to amass political clout.

Amjad M. Khan
Cambridge, Mass.

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