Sitting on Bayonets

The book is about America's unending "war on terror" -- how it is being lost, and how it could be won. Napoleon's remark about bayonets fits well America's inclination to see world affairs in military terms. Analyzing Islam and the 2011 Arab uprisings, the book explains U.S. militaristic culture, and shows how invading Muslim lands, and backing "safe" strongmen, clearly fosters terrorism. Strong national defense demands robust, multi-faceted counter-terrorism. But radical Islam opens a contest of ideas. And arms can't defeat ideas, only better ideas can. The West's "weapons of mass construction" -- freedom, dignity and democracy - have universal appeal. Promoting these through "smart options" - useful education, job-creating small-business training, and cultural development - isn't naïve. It's hard-nosed, more budget-friendly, national defense - especially when it benefits Muslim girls and women, the ultimate peace-builders of Islamic society.