I read a couple of fascinating articles and a book which dealt with defeating the Al Qaeda terrorist organization. Here were some insights we can apply when it comes to dealing with enemies:
1. Jihadi Rehab: “The program came about after the Saudi government recognized that locking up the young radicalized Muslims and mistreating them in jail was counterproductive and served only to foment anger in the Islamic world.”
One young man who went through the program said: “I used to hate Americans. Now it’s different. Thank God I am a wiser man and I know right from wrong. In the program, they taught me killing a person — Muslim or non-Muslim — is wrong even if he gets in my way. You should help people, not hurt them.”
2. The Starfish and the Spider mentions Chinook diplomacy. The U.S. military became heroes in certain parts of Pakistan after the way we responded with aid after their devastating earthquake.
3. If all of that doesn’t work, the plague appears to be really effective.
4. Praying for our troops!
If you would like the full notes for Starfish and the Spider and to sign up for my monthly email newsletter, send an email to me at eric@mosaic.org with “Starfish” in the subject heading.
See also: “Is Islam the Enemy?”