Amazingly, they have included this anti-Marxist analysis, a small but important observation that "socioeconomic success will not necessarily prevent Americans' radicalization".
Moreover, they quote an unnamed European intelligence agent as saying that"the profile in Europe is in general quite different [from U.S. extremists]: more working-class or even underclass,"
"But it's a bit simplistic to make assumptions. We have seen everything in Europe -- educated people, doctors involved in terrorism. The underclass argument is not enough."
The article then describes President Obama's efforts at dealing with Islamic radicalism:
"The Obama administration began the year with gestures to the Muslim world. President Obama promised to shut down the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and made a historic speech in Cairo. The Homeland Security Department leads the administration's counter-radicalization effort. The Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which works with Muslim leaders, held summit meetings with Somali communities this year in Minnesota and Ohio, said David Heyman, assistant Homeland Security secretary for policy."
Yes, grovelling speeches, shutting down incarceration facilities for terrorists and meetings! Glorious meetings! That will definitely show those nasty terrorists we mean business!
More gloriously naive talk: "We don't do enough about fostering a counter-narrative," said Matthew Levitt, a former anti-terrorism official for the Treasury Department now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
"Competing for space with the radicalizers and challenging their radical ideologies is the key."
I disagree.
I think having better weapons, superior firepower and a willingness to use them is key. The humiliation of the radicals is key as is materially and philosophically and militarily supporting any moves towards freedom, liberty and democracy in the Muslim world. That means supporting the Iranian students, women's rights (actual rights, not the liberal's "right to wear a body bag"), and supporting and providing unfettered Internet access in totalitarian regimes.
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