[quote=gandalf]surveyor, one thing to consider is: are we better off dealing with the Muslim issue on our terms or theirs? We have a choice as to how to ‘counter-punch’ the enemy. Some tactics work better than others.
[/quote]

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
– Sun Tzu”

When we were dealing with the Russians, we had a really good understanding of their ideology. There were certain things they wanted, and their goals were relatively straight forward. We were able to anticipate their moves (sometimes) because we understood them.

We do not have that same understanding with the Islamic enemy we have now. We say things like “it’s only the extremists elements of islam”, “if only israel would give them the land they would leave israel alone”, “well it’s because of our policies”, “well we are occupiers that’s why they’re suicide-bombing us.” The things we say show that we have absolutely no understanding of the dynamics, beliefs, and aspects of Islam.

Let’s actually try to attack the Islamists according to our terms, not theirs. Right now it is mostly on their terms. We’re getting some things right, but without real understanding of our enemy, we have little hope of winning.