Notably, although the "Muslim Spring" went sour when it was hijacked by Islamists, it began as a series of protests demanding Western style political reforms. Similarly, millions of Muslims have to one degree or another chosen Western values by emigrating from Muslim lands to Europe and the US.
Consider the modern history of Japan, a society explicitly based on a warrior code. After WW II, MacArthur insisted that the Japanese adopt not just the mechanisms of democracy but also deep reforms that elevated women to equality with men. The result was a transformation of Japan into a modern, peaceful society.
Can the same process be induced within Islam? It may, as with WW II, require defeat in war, unconditional surrender, and then a long period of reformist occupation. Or, perhaps a strong, consistent US effort in the war of ideas will be enough.
After all, the crisis of Islam is that many Muslims already see themselves as losers at the bottom of the global pecking order in the measures of modern life. At the very least, we ought to explain how Islam's toxic culture can be remedied by human rights, democracy, and fair treatment of women.
I agree it’s worth a try.