PrintAugust 2, 2008
Countering Islamism
America is in a unique position to avoid making the same mistakes the UK and continental Europe have made in trying to solve the tension between having an open, democratic society of religious tolerance, and halting the efforts of Islamists who use such privileges as cover to advance an anti-democratic, intolerant and even violent agenda.In a compelling session earlier this month, the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, chaired by Sen. Joe Liberman, heard from several experts on "The Roots of Violent Islamist Extremism and Efforts to Counter It." One of the authorities testifying was Ms. Zeyno Baran, senior fellow and Director for the Center for Eurasian Policy at the Hudson Institute.As part of her testimony, Baran expressed concern that our policy makers have not adequately addressed the 9/11 Commission's call to, "prevail in the longer term over the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism."While much effort has been...(Read Full Article)
