We’ve all heard the references to “rethinking” the fight against terror. They include better coordination with our allies; a pragmatic, anti-ISIS relationship with Russia; more resources for a more pro-active approach to intelligence gathering; and a more effective use of ISIS targeting by our military. Those are givens.
But there’s one more. It’s no less a given, but less talked up. It is this: The law-abiding, value-sharing worldwide and American Islamic communities have to step up and be heard and seen like never before. Most notably, government officials, media owners, religious icons and community leaders.
No, this is not profiling and stereotyping–let alone demonizing–in the name of national security or as cover for xenophobia and witch hunting. And this is not a customized Napoleonic Code of guilty until proven culturally innocent. This is, however, a critical part of all hands on deck to fight the good fight against the further spread of evil and depravity across the globe and in this country.
It’s every stakeholder’s fight–and some are in position to help more than others.
If there is jihadist vermin among us, they need to know that there are no safe havens–and no easy, pre-horror anonymity until it’s carnage time for “crusaders.”
This is an existential war against monstrous, Islam-perverting Muslims. It’s an all-out effort in what the other side has long seen as a civilization endgame against “infidels” and “apostates.” This is not the Cold War where everyone’s bottom line was not wanting to die. That obviously doesn’t apply to suicidal fiends.
Not winning this war–with all the technological and human resources at our disposal–is not an option.
* As the downing of that Russian plane and the mass killings in Paris underscored, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin need each other, even if they don’t like each other.