Promoting Freedom and Democracy: Fighting the War of Ideas Against Islamic Terrorism

Abstract

For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the United States finds itself fighting a new war of ideas, a war against those who want to destroy America’s society and its core values, as well as societies of U.S. allies. The battle for hearts and minds is not a short-term campaign, but a protracted conflict that will take years, decades, and possibly generations to overcome. This is a battle in which it is necessary to understand target audiences and engage them, including women, youth, the business community, artists, academics, and the ethnic minorities of the Islamic world. The key to victory will be leadership, clear policy guidance, and perseverance from the American people and its political leadership. The main weapon of the United States in the battle of ideas should be the truth—truth about the societies, which breed terrorism, their rulers, and about terrorist leaders.