Ideological Engagement

How To Win The War Of Ideas, (Wall Street Journal)…James K. Glassman, June 24, 2008

 “In the long run, winning the War on Terror means winning the battle of ideas.”

Many of the strongest supporters of ideological engagement can be found in the Department of Defense, starting with Secretary Robert Gates, who reminded senators earlier this year that the Cold War was “as much a war of ideas as it was of military power.” Unfortunately, since the rise of Islamic terror, we haven’t done enough on this front.

What we seek is a world in which the use of violence to achieve political, religious or social objectives is no longer considered acceptable, efforts to radicalize and recruit new members are no longer successful, and the perpetrators of violent extremism are condemned and isolated.

Military success is necessary, but it is not sufficient – for the simple reason that we face as an enemy not a single nation, or even a coalition, but a stateless global movement. Without a vigorous war of ideas, as we kill such adversaries others will take their place.