The War of Ideas: Jihadism against Democracy

289 Pages·2007·0.74 MB·English

by  Walid Phares

ADDITIONAL PRAISE FOR
THE WAR OF IDEAS AND WALID PHARES:
“Professor Walid Phares’s The War of Ideasis a must read on the geopolitics of the war on terror.
His book puts fifty years of Cold War and Jihadi offensives against democracies in an ultimate
global perspective. This is a central resource for classrooms, newsrooms, and war rooms.”
—Col. Kenneth Allard, USA (Ret.), former dean of the National War College,
NBC Defense Analyst, and author of War Heads
“Dr. Phares understands like no one else the depth of Jihadi ideologies and how they have devel-
oped long-term strategies to counter and crumble free societies, both in the West and among
young rising democracies in the Middle East.”
—Richard W. Carlson, US Ambassador (ret.), former Director of Voice of America,
former President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
“Walid Phares makes a compelling case for why winning the war of ideas is indispensable to win-
ning the war on terrorism, and he points the way toward how to do so. It is a must read not only
for policy makers and those who advise them, but for everyone with a stake in the fight of our
generation.”
—Clark Kent Ervin, former Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security
and author of Open Target: Where America Is Vulnerable to Attack
“If you want to understand the war of ideas being waged by Jihadists, Walid Phares is your man.”
—U.S. Congresswoman Sue Myrick
“Walid Phares is both an incisive scholar and a skilled communicator. His insights into the psy-
chologies and pathologies of the Middle East are unrivaled.”
—Clifford D. May, President of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
“The Jihadists began their war of ideas against democracies decades ago.... a unique analysis of
the roots and future of this terror campaign against the free world.”
—Magdi Khalil, Egyptian journalist, Elaph.com
“I have followed and respected Dr. Walid Phares’ academic work and reasoned commentary for
years. He has a unique ability to articulate the central ideological conflict in the struggle against
Jihadism. Dr. Phares consistently stands out as an invaluable resource and authentic voice in the
global effort to understand exactly who the enemies of democracy are, what they believe, and
how we can defeat them.”
—Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, Chairman, American Islamic Forum for Democracy
“This book will changeyour wayof seeing the war on terror. Professor Phares is the leading an-
alyst of the war of ideas. His ability to see through the strategies and moves of the Jihadists in
their quest to crumble democracies is unparalleled.”
—Dr. Jacob Keryakes, NBC Senior Arabic Linguist
“Walid Phares is teaching the world about one of the greatest threats in history. Only a mind
equally immersed in two civilizations and their ideologies can produce a book like The War of
Ideas.”
—Dr. Franck Salameh, Professor of Arab Culture, Boston College
“Walid Phares is the leading expert on the war of ideas between Jihadism and democracy.”
—Alireza Jafarzadeh, Fox News analyst and author of The Iran Threat
“As an Arab Muslim academic from Jordan I have witnessed Walid Phares engaging in powerful
debates with intellectuals from both the West and the Arab Muslim world. His knowledge of
both cultures gives him the ability to understand and explain the war of ideas between radicalism
and democracy. This book is needed by the public.”
—Professor Shaker Nabulsi, Chairman, American Interuniversity Consortium (AIC)
for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
“Walid Phares is the leading authority on the war of ideas between totalitarian forces and the ris-
ing democracies in the Greater Middle East. His profound understanding of radical ideologies
and pluralist societies makes his scholarship unique in the West and the Arab and Muslim world
alike. His book is a must read.”
—Munir Mawari, Washington correspondent, Asharq Alawsatdaily Arabic newspaper
“Phares’s Future Jihadis among the most insightful books about the nature of this global threat I
have ever read. Its lessons are not to be ignored by free societies. Phares’s contribution to our
understanding of the war of ideas between Jihadism and democracy is unique.”
—Daniel B. Kennedy, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, University of Detroit Mercy
“For twenty-five years, Walid Phares’s writing and public speaking have shown a deep, masterful
knowledge of both Western and Islamic cultures. As an Arab Muslim reformer I admire his lead-
ing ability to understand and explain the war of ideas between radicalism and democracies.”
—Omran Salman, Director of the Arab Reformists Project, Bahrain
“Walid Phares understands the conflict between Jihadism and democracy and explains it like no
one else. The War of Ideasis a must-have for the public and decision-makers alike.”
—Ret. Colonel Jack Jacobs, NBC Military Analyst,
Lecturer at West Point, and author of Medal of Honor
“Walid Phares provides considerable insight into the strategy and operational tactics of radical
Islamists. With his considerable knowledge of Middle East history and politics as well as of ter-
rorist strategies, Dr. Phares is uniquely able to sort through the considerable noise so often gen-
erated in the media and academia. His analysis is refreshingly clear and cogent, and not only
experts but general readers will gain from his observations.”
—Dr. George L. Simpson, Jr., Professor of History, High Point University
“With his book The War of Ideas,Professor Walid Phares has become the third global teacher on
the Jihadi conflict with democracy, along with Samuel Huntington and Bernard Lewis. His new
book gives crucial answers never provided before to classrooms and the public. It is a benchmark
contribution to comparative politics.”
—Dr. Robert Rabil, Professor of Middle East Studies and director of Graduate Studies,
Department of Political Science, Florida Atlantic University
“The war of ideas is a crucial battleground in the global warwithJihadi terrorism. Democracies
must wage this ideological struggle with keen intelligence and relentless determination. Walid
Phares’s new book sets out a strategic plan for success. It is essential reading, and is highly rec-
ommended.”
—Dr. Joseph Morrison Skelly, Department of History, College of Mount Saint Vincent
“Walid Phares has an uncanny ability to encapsulate and explain clearly the central issues in the
confrontation between the civilized world and the violent radicals who threaten it. In so doing
he reminds us why our civilization is worth defending.”
—Dr. James S. Robbins, National Defense University
T H E WA R O F I D E A S
jihadism against democracy
WALID PHARES
WAROFIDEAS
Copyright © Walid Phares, 2007.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in
any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case
of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
First published in 2007 by
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ISBN–13: 978–1–4039–7639–0
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table of contents
Dedication vi
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction ix
Chapter One: The Historical Debates 1
Chapter Two: The Antidemocracy Axis 21
Chapter Three: Irreconcilable Views 39
Chapter Four: The Jihadi War on International Principles 53
Chapter Five: The Assault on Pluralism 67
Chapter Six: Democracy’s Pillars under Attack 85
Chapter Seven: Gender Apartheid 101
Chapter Eight: Jihadism Waits Out the Cold War:
The First War of Ideas, 1945–1990 115
Chapter Nine: Battles over Minds: The Second War of Ideas,
1990–2001 139
Chapter Ten: The Clash of Futures: The Third War of Ideas,
2001–2006 163
Chapter Eleven: The War on Learning 183
Chapter Twelve: Inflaming Hearts and Fooling Minds 207
Chapter Thirteen: War on the Messengers 235
Conclusion 243
Notes 251
Index 261
dedication
I DEDICATE THIS BOOK, THE WAR OF IDEAS, FIRST OF ALL TO ALL
those dissidents in the Greater Middle East and in the Arab and Muslim
world who have suffered and yet continue to strive for the liberation of their
societies, and eventually for the rise of full democracy in their midst. I dedi-
cate it to the women, youth, and minorities whose persecution needs to end
and to the courageous people who stand by them; also to those intellectuals,
authors, students, human rights activists, professors, journalists, singers,
artists, and others who are the hope of the future.
I dedicate this book in memory of all those who have fallen as victims or
have had to survive Terrorism, oppression, and intolerance ; also in memory
of the soldiers from America and the free world who sacrificed themselves to
free suppressed societies. And in support to those who have been suffering in
jails and other detention centers across the land.
I also dedicate this book to those in the West and within Democratic so-
cieties who believe that the right for freedom is universal, and who stand for
their principles: leaders, politicians, journalists, scholars, and citizens.
And finally, my highest dedication is in memory of my late father, Halim,
who, as he shepherded me at home and stimulated my love of cultures and
languages, taught me to serve the cause of justice and freedom by bringing
education wherever I could.
Walid Phares
Washington DC, December 6, 2006
acknowledgments
MYFIRSTACKNOWLEDGMENTGOESTOMYLOVEDONES, THEFIRST
ones to sacrifice for my reflections to become a book were those whose lives
were directly affected by my hours and days spent in research, writing and
editing instead of spending this precious time with them, enjoying what life
provides you with a family and soul mates. In other words, I must thank my
family and love ones first, for offering the best they have so that my readers
can enjoy this book. I owe this sacrifice especially to the “Commander” and
the “Scholar” for their understanding and patience; as well as to my beloved
mother whose affection kept my hopes high and to my relentlessly supportive
sister and her family.
My second acknowledgment goes to my professional house, the Founda-
tion for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, which has been hosting
me and providing me with an adequate intellectual environment since sum-
mer 2004. Since I was appointed a Senior Fellow at FDD by Cliff May I have
had the opportunity to publish two books and dozens of articles and position
papers. I also credit the European Foundation for Democracy for sponsoring
my research in Europe. My thanks to Cliff, the leadership, the staff, and my
colleagues at the Foundation, as well as its supporters, especially Mark
Dubowitz; beyond hosting and supporting me, they have been at the heart of
bringing awareness to the public regarding Terrorist threats and providing
hope for Democracy to grow and rise. A thank you to my assistant, Adela,
and my companions in the various NGOs, including Tom Harb and his col-
leagues, Behrooz Bahbudi and the Global Unity Partnership, as well as to the
faithful managers of my web sites.
My third acknowledgment goes to my publisher, Airié Stuart, and my lit-
erary agent, Lynne Rabinoff, for their encouragement and permanent sup-
port as well as their insistence that I keep producing thoughts and sharing
viii (cid:1) THE WAR OF IDEAS (cid:2)
them with the readers. My thanks to the hard work of the editors of this
book, as well as the art makers, who surely transformed it from a raw manu-
script to a final product ready for the bookstore and library shelves; their
notes, suggestions, and thorough editing helped significantly in the sculpting
of the material into a final product—particularly Alan Bradshaw, Bruce Mur-
phy, and Chris Chappell.
My fourth acknowledgment goes to my fellow travelers in this field of
exchanging ideas and bringing awareness: Among them, especially, Andy
Cochrane, the director of the Foundation on Counter Terrorism; William
Smith, the publisher of the World Defense Review;Carol Taber, the publisher
of Family Security Matters.
My fifth acknowledgment goes to the many journalists, anchors, show
producers, and workers in the media who host, invite, and give me the op-
portunities to share my analysis and views in print, on TV, on radio, and on-
line. This vast web of public mediators allows my ideas to be received and
travel to where they may help shape a better debate on crucial issues—or
eventually come back to me enriched and criqued. A special thank to the
many readers, listeners and viewers who enjoy my comments, who have sent
me emails and letters expressing their views, and who encouraged me to pro-
duce this book. This is to let them know that their messages, the simple ones
and the heavy ones, have been a part of the making of the War of Ideas. For,
ultimately, it is for the readers that I write, hoping that they will reward me
with their appreciation. My thoughts go also to the many faculty and stu-
dents I interact with on campuses around the country, especially those friends
who have organized forums and lectures. These events have positively im-
pacted my arguments and allowed me to discover the deeper thinking and
concerns of current and future scholars.
My sixth acknowledgment goes to American government officials and
legislators, representatives from the European Union and the Middle East,
and diplomats at the United Nations and other international organizations
who engage and value my research .
My seventh and last acknowledgment comes from remembering the ac-
tors from the earlier stages in my life. I wish to thank the publishers and the
mentors who launched my first works, and before them the teachers and pro-
fessors who educated me. And foremost among them, I owe the formation of
my understanding of the world’s politics and philosophies to my older
brother Sami, my first teacher and a universal thinker.
introduction
AT THE END OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY AND THE BEGINNING
of the twenty-first, we have witnessed a historic change in the approach to
war and peace in international relations. In the wake of the Cold War, leaders
and policy planners face new challenges. Efforts to persuade the public to
support policies and ideologies have become an increasingly important activ-
ity of government in democracies, demanding ever greater resources, skill,
and attention. Ideas now have to be presented, argued, and defended in pub-
lic discourse. Although ideas have always been the engine of history, the au-
dience for them has vastly increased with globalization and more widespread
access to media (especially electronic media), and thus today a greater num-
ber of individuals influence whether a policy obtains support.
It is not only governments that have come to realize that there is now a
global playing field in the struggle for control over which ideas are pro-
moted. Militant organizations have reached the same conclusion: in times of
war and peace alike, influencing the public by promoting ideas is a must. In
democracies in general, this means debating and selecting from among many
competing ideas. For radical groups, it means imposing one vision for the
masses to follow. But regardless of party or group, in world politics, the pro-
motion of ideas has become the prerequisite to action, including war.
In the last few years, especially after the September 11, 2001, attacks in
America (and increasingly around the world as the so-called War on Terror-
ism spread to Afghanistan, Iraq, the greater Middle East, south Asia, Africa,
Russia, and within the West), talk of a “War of Ideas” emerged in the media
and to a lesser extent in academia. The first public statements about the con-
cept were made by U.S. leaders such as President George Bush, Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice, and congressional figures from both parties. But
other world leaders and politicians have also mentioned the roles of ideologies