# Tuesday, April 19, 2005

America is spending millions to counter the hate of radical Islamists

So what is the war on terrorism really about?

The White House has approved a classified new strategy, dubbed Muslim World Outreach, that for the first time states that the United States has a national security interest in influencing what happens within Islam. Because America is, as one official put it, "radioactive" in the Islamic world, the plan calls for working through third parties--moderate Muslim nations, foundations, and reform groups--to promote shared values of democracy, women's rights, and tolerance.

[ USNews.com (4/25/05) ]

What I can't figure out is should I be happy? Sad? Indifferent? As an American shouldn't I be upset with state sponsored religion of any type? As a Muslim shouldn't I be upset with the US meddling?

Though, perhaps it's not the US using moderate Islam, but God using the US to fund Islam...

I'm rather curious to hear the opinions of my readership (small as it may be).

#    Comments [5] |
Wednesday, April 20, 2005 8:44:27 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I read "shouldn't I be upset with the US meddling?" and can't think anything other than...

And Islam would've gotten away with it if it weren't for the meddling of that derned US.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005 8:55:04 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
Just watching the US drive around in the Mystery Van is weird enough...
Wednesday, April 20, 2005 11:17:16 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I'm not opposed, as a pragmatist, but I think the US needs to tread carefully.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005 12:05:49 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I'm with Joe -- treading carefully is paramount. I don't see this as "state sponsored religion", to me it's something more along the lines of a "faith-based initiative". I'm interested to see what kind of influence, if any, they can have.
Friday, April 22, 2005 10:54:38 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
To elaborate:

* the US doesn't have a great track record for being smart about which foreign dissidents they fund
* won't the accepting of US money put a dent in the recipients' credibility? (i.e. "of course you're moderate about the Americans; you're on their payroll")
Comments are closed.