THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume VI, Issue # 222, October 21, 2004
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
THE ISLAMIST CHALLENGE TO AMERICAN SECURITY:
A BRIEFING
By Frank J. Gaffney
THE WAR ON ISLAMISM: THE WAR AGAINST THOSE THOSE WHO FORMENT & SUPPORT ISLAMIC TERRORISM -- FIVE
ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MUST FOLLOW, IF IT WISHES TO WIN THE WAR ON ISLAMISM &
SEVERELY CURTAIL & EVENTUALLY ELIMINATE THE THREAT OF ISLAMIC TERRORISM
FULL STORY:
The threat of terror is the most direct challenge to the stability of America as a functioning country. The term used by politicians and
the media to describe America's response to this threat – the "War on Terror" – is a misnomer, however. The war is actually a war
against those who foment and support terror. In this respect, it is really a "War on Islamism," known also as fundamentalist Islam.
There are five essential principles the U.S.A. must follow, if it wishes to win this "War on Islamism" and severely curtail and
eventually eliminate the threat of Islamic terror.
DEFINE U.S. ENEMIES
First, America must clearly define its enemies. These enemies include all groups and nations that participate in terrorist activities by
means of carrying out attacks, providing financial and military aid to terrorists, and lending logistical support to the overall pernicious
goals of Islamic fundamentalism. Organizations like al-Qa'ida typify this definition of a U.S. enemy. Equally discernable as enemies of
the U.S.A. under the same definition are countries such as Iran, Libya, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, and formerly, Saddam Hussein's
Iraq.
The regimes that collaborate with terrorists are just as dangerous as al-Qa'ida because terrorist cells could not operate nearly as
effectively without state sponsorship. The people who believe the American war on Iraq was a diversion from the real war against
terror are missing the point entirely. Saddam's Iraq willingly provided Islamists with an array of support as part of retaliation for the
1991 liberation of Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm. Eliminating his regime was a proactive step in the "War on Islamism" and a grave
message to all other enemy regimes and organizations that offer aid to Islamic terrorists.
DEFINE U.S. FRIENDS
Second, America must clearly define its true friends. These are the nations that share America's values and sense of morality. Israel is
at the top of the list of such countries, along with Britain, Australia, and Japan. India and several countries that escaped tyranny in
central and eastern Europe probably also qualify as friends.
In the same spirit, America must examine its "socalled friends." Leaders in this category include Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan,
for example, helped out in the "War on Islamism" over the last few years; previously, however, Pakistan actually supported the growth
of terror networks in Afghanistan. The nation has only been on the U.S. side since 9-11, because an alliance with America better
serves Pakistani interests than its former pre-9-11 alliance with the deposed Taliban regime. This fair weather alliance is not a friendship.
Saudi Arabia also presents itself as a friend of America and supporter in the global fight against terrorists. Yet it is hard to find a
government that supports and invests more in Islamism than the Saudi regime. Currently, manifestations of this involvement exist both
within the country and outside via doctrinal religious intolerance and financial support for terrorists.
TAKING THE WAR TO THE TERRORISTS
The pursuit of an offensive strategy is the third crucial principle in the "War Against Islamism." America must take the war to the
terrorists, rather than waiting for the terrorists to strike first. The war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq exemplify this strategy.
Although currently unfinished, they are important steps within a longterm strategy to eradicate the enemy. As a result of American
intervention, these nations no longer have the capability to substantially support terror from a state sponsorship role.
IMPROVED HOMELAND SECURITY
Better homeland security is the fourth principle the U.S.A. must follow to ensure the defeat of Islamism. Terrorists have the ability
to smuggle unconventional weapons into the country and use them against Americans. Although America has a very limited
capability to eliminate all possible threats of this kind, stricter border and port security, in addition to better detection technology,
limit the potential for terrorist attacks.
ECONOMIC OFFENSIVE AGAINST ISLAMISTS
The fifth principle is to empower individual Americans is by making them aware that they can economically damage Islamism and
regimes that assist in terrorist activities. Many Americans have investments in publicly traded companies that do business with
regimes that willingly and openly support Islamic terrorism. Some of these stocks even come through pension funds and other
retirement funds.
Unfortunately, most people who hold these investments are unaware of this issue. However, they are entitled to know about this
problem so that they can make moral choices and play an assertive role in combating terror. The website www.divestterror.org
provides more information about investments. Importantly, from a financial perspective, if a company sells items to a pro-Islamist
regime, and that regime uses these items in an attack, then the stock of the company will fall and consequently hurt all shareholders.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, if America does everything in its ability to adopt the first four principles, it still will not succeed against the Islamist
threat without adopting also the fifth: working to obtain the sustained support of the American people. In order to garner this
support, something must be done to give Americans a sense of empowerment in combating potential terrorism. The concept of
divestment as an economic weapon will give Americans a personal opportunity to combat terror and will also be a key instrument
in fighting the "War on Islamism."
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
Islamism & Jihadism -- The Threat of Radical Islam
Page Three
Page Two
Page One
The Middle East & the Arabs
The Middle East & the Problem of Iraq
The Problem of Rogue States:
Iraq as a Case History
War & Peace in the Real World
Page Two
Page One
Islamist Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.A.
Osama bin Laden & the Islamist Declaration of War
Against the U.S.A. & Western Civilization
Islamist International Terrorism &
U.S. Intelligence Agencies
U.S. National Security Strategy
Frank J. Gaffney is Founder and President of the Center for Security Policy in Washington, D.C.. He earned his AM in international
studies from John's Hopkins University. A former deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security policy, Mr. Gaffney's
articles have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, the Los Angeles Times, the New Republic, Newsday,
the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. He is a contributing
editor to National Review Online. Mr. Gaffney addressed the Middle East Forum in Philadelphia on September 22, 2004.
The foregoing briefing by Frank Gaffney can be found on the Internet website maintained by the
Middle East Forum.
Republished with Permission of the Middle East Forum
Reprinted from the Middle East Forum News
mefnews@meforum.org (MEF NEWS)
October 18, 2004
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THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
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