Fine Summary - One More Point
Reader comment on item: A New Round of Anger and Humiliation: Islam after 9/11

Submitted by Joe Katzman (Canada), Jun 11, 2002 at 08:13

As usual, an excellent summary of a view many of us share. The $64,000 question is whether Islamic societies can in fact modernize successfully. Even Turkey is not a clear answer to that question.

But that's a long term issue. In the short term, we need to crush Islamist movements if we're to have any protection for ourselves. Survival takes first priority.

One important corollary to Mr. Pipes' thoughts is this: Not only is there no substitute for victory, but if all he has said is true, then our words are also weapons. That is to say, how we project ourselves is as important in its own way as our military successes.

The confused muddle coming out of the Bush administration at present is currently working at cross-purposes wih our military victories, and more clarity and consistency would enlarge the aura those Afghan victories produced. Right now, however, America looks uncertain again... and so the Arab "leaders" come to the USA and lecture Bush, instead of doing as he asks.

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