Countering Islamic Extremism

Retired General Abizaid, in an AP interview, said the United States has done a poor job of fighting Islamic extremism. Quoting Abizaid, "I don't blame it on any people. I just blame it on a bureaucratic system that has been unresponsive thus far to the challenges of the 21st century. We need to change that as a matter of national priority."

The "bureaucratic system" that the general refers to can be overcome. The Obama administration should bring together our foremost experts on all aspects of the Middle East, counter-terrorism, religious fundamentalism, economic development, and any other pertinent subject that could contribute knowledge to the development of an overall strategy to fight Islamic extremism through economic, educational, political, diplomatic, social, and other means. There are signs in both overt and subtle foreign policy changes that the Obama administration is leaning in this direction. Let's hope the effort gains momentum and some progress can be made toward making the world safer.