I'm sure you realize that militant Islam already failed in Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, and several other countries. Prior to Bush's elevation of Al Qaeda and his unfortunate adventures in the ME, Muslims around the world had actually pretty robustly rejected the Militant Islamic agenda- which is why they were marginalized in to terrorist groups.
Mr. Bush has, unfortunately, given the Islamists a popular platform, where before they had none (a crusade against the West, and it's incursions in to Muslim lands).
I don't know who you think was sitting on the fence acting like these "elements" weren't a threat. Anyone who pays attention to the ME knows they are. But there is watching a threat, and paying attention to it, and taking meaningful steps to plan for a reduction in the risks of the threat, and then there is making the threat worse- I would argue we've made the threat worse. I hope your beliefs end up being justified, but I doubt they will be. |
