Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Naming the Enemy

Middle East expert Daniel Pipes: "A courageous speech by George W. Bush last week began a new era in what he calls the 'war on terror.' . . . The detailed texture of Mr. Bush's speech transforms the official American understanding of who the enemy is, moving it from the superficial and inadequate notion of 'terrorism' to the far deeper concept of 'Islamic radicalism.' This change has potentially enduring importance if finally, 26 years later, it convinces polite society to name the enemy."