The Cold War is exactly like the fight against Muslim extremism? Enough so that we should fight it the same way?
Let's see:
Opponents in Cold War: Ideological governments controlling well over a billion people and posing a major existential threat by conventional military and an even greater one from nuclear attack. Distinct possibiity of a major controntation resulting in total destruction of USA and/or end of civilization or even human life. Possible death toll within hours of all out war starting: Billions.
Opponents in war against Muslim extremism: Loosely organized NGOs posing zero conventional military threat or nuclear threat at this time. Maximum possible threat: They get their hands on a few nukes and take out six American cities. Possible death toll: 1M? (in America). Could be much higher in an countries held responsible for assisting in the attack.
There may be excellent reasons for not trying to remake countries as we see fit. That our present situation is "the same" as that in the Cold War is not one of those reasons.
One of the reasons conservative vs. liberal arguments about the fight against Muslim extremism is so sterile is that we are constantly trying to make the conflict "just like" some previous war.
Conservatives (or possibly just the neo version) think it's always the 1930s and appeasement must be avoided. Liberals always think it's 1965 and we need to avoided being dragged into "another Vietnam."
How's about we try recognizing that Muslim terrorists are neither Hitler nor Ho? That new problems require new solutions, not tired recycling of what would supposedly have prevented the earlier problems?
You make it sound like the muslim threat is trivial... With the rates the muslims are breeding and migrating at they are likely to take over Russia and western Europe, including all its military might. The EU is likely to become the kernel of a future Khaliphate with the native Europeans becoming an oppressed minority like the copts and other natives in muslim occupied territories. And the same *will* happen to the US unless you close your borders.
The muslim threat is far more serious than communism. It too can end our civilizations, our way of life and slaughter billions. It may be a longer term threat, but unlike communism there is little chance of the religion dying... We are in a fight for our lives, and most people don’t even realize it much less put up any resistance...