America must be prepared to do whatever is necessary to repel attacks on our soil or overseas but we should work for PEACE. We owe this to our children and the children to provide them with a more peaceful and prosperous world.
As we approach the eleventh anniversary of 9/11. The mosque close to ground zero is open. Muslims have just ended their fast of Ramadan. America has the hope that a kinder gentler version of Islam will root out the radical jihadist form of Islam. Hope alone won't bring that vision into fruition. If Islampopulation.com is correct then the Muslim population has topped 1.82 billion members. The estimates of radical Islamists vary but even if there are only a half of one percent the number of "would be" suicide bombers is staggering. The total number of US troops, including active and reserves, is around three million. That means that radical Muslims outnumber American troops three to one.
The threat of radical Islam isn't a threat to be taken lightly. The United States must continue to maintain a strong military prepared to do what is necessary to repel any and all attacks on our soil or overseas. The political will to invade Afghanistan shortly after 9/11 was almost unanimous within America. The outpouring of sympathy was also nearly universal. Many fear the cross hairs of radical Islam, as the doctrine doesn't discriminate among Jew, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, or any other religion when it comes to the doctrine of Jihad. All are to be killed or submit to Islam. Thankfully not all Muslims have this view of their religion.
With the declaration of war by radical Islam on the United States comes a need to diffuse a dangerous situation. A kinder and gentler form of Islam could be just the answer.
I am acquainted with the Southern Philippines that is front and center in the War On Terror. Nearly half a million Muslims occupy this poverty-stricken region. Recruitment is fertile because the people there have nothing. Having nothing means nothing to lose. Islam considers this a valuable region because they seek to recruit jihadists that don't fit the profile our law enforcement has on their radar screens. The Civil Affairs Campaign waged by the US Government along with the Philippine Marines is having a significant impact in winning the hearts and minds of Muslims.
The true radicals still place a price on relief workers bringing aid to the region who must travel with heavily armed security detachments. It is very hard to see America as the enemy when medical treatment is brought in that saves the lives of children. As poverty gives way to self-sufficiency, the people there have something to lose which helps them choose peace. We should never expect them to adopt our culture and in respecting their need to have their own culture we can establish a relationship of mutual respect.
In poverty-stricken regions this approach can be helpful when we are allowed to intercede. Most Muslim countries reject our help under any circumstances. Many of the most radical jihadists have never met an American and simply hate us because they were taught to hate us. That leaves very few tools in the war on terror. One proven technique is to empower women. Women have the ability to soften men's hearts to choose peace. A gender gap might help us empower women in the region.
China has been imposing a "One child rule" to curb the populartion growth. Population engineering has been responsible for the female infanticide as perceived surplus baby girls are slaughtered. India also has a problem with female infanticide. This has caused a large gender imbalance in both countries. An underground railroad to transport women who are being abused from Muslim lands to areas where women are in short supply and might enjoy a more empowered life could stem the tide of abuse. Just the threat of women leaving might be enough to inspire a major and positive shift in the rights of women in the Middle East.
A World Court that established basic human rights including religious freedom could also be a tool to create stability and bring radical jihadists to justice. Trading partners would need to recognize the Court as the final authority and allow them to charge any Global Citizen with war crimes when human rights are violated. This would mean that America too would have to be subject to International Laws. There are no guarantees that any of this would work against such a sworn enemy but the futures of our children dictate that we must try. Those that have perished in the war on terror gave their blood to further the cause of liberty. Peace is the goal but not at any price. We will always stand ready to do what is necessary to thwart the efforts of all of our enemies both foreign and domestic. But we will also work tirelessly to further the cause of peace. We owe it to those that have nothing and have never met us to attempt to let them see our hearts and make the choice for Peace.
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