Understanding Islamic Terrorists

“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, The Art of War

This quote is as old as the ages but apropos for today's environment.  There is little doubt in my mind that the average American doesn't understand Islam nor the divisions in the religion that have resulted in a large number of radical Islamic terrorists causing death, destruction, and mayhem across the Middle East.  This is exacerbated by our government who doesn't name the threat for what it is.  I can only surmise that, like most citizens, they don't understand the enemy.  It is a bit perplexing since we've been at war one way or another for the last few decades.  At war with the nations in the Middle East and at war with non-state actors like ISIS and Al Quaida.  We should have people in our government who name it for what it is, develop strategies to counteract it and protect us, and determine the best route to a secure future.  That isn't happening under the current government.  I can only hope that sanity will prevail at some point and we can start to develop such programs.

In the meantime we, as citizens, need to understand the threat.  This weekend, coincidentally there were two great articles in the WSJ discussing aspects of Islam.  One is an interview with President al Sisi of Egypt and one is an expose on Islam itself.  You can read them here and here.  Don't miss them.