So you think it reformed out of it's own encouragement?
No, it reformed because of internal and external political, military and economic concerns. It reformed because it had a platform and the required stability to do so.
Something that Islam has never had and never will unless the rest of the planet gets fully involved.
Talk to me in about 250 years and we will take a look at what we have accomplished thus far and the changes that long term efforts have wrought.
I think we will be pleasantly surprised, if we stay the course with diplomatic and social efforts backed up by overwhelming military force if necessary and used judiciously.
10 generations should show a reversal and a totally different dynamic in the Middle East or frankly speaking, we have no hope for the survival of democracy into the next millennium.
The use of military force only, will bring disaster and only buy bits of time as western economies collapse under the pressure and lack of a secure environment in which to flourish.
If you cannot grow, you die.
I don't see any other alternative but to bring them along gradually and allow natural social pressures to change them from within. All the available tools are needed to do this and a understanding of the time that it will take to be successful. (That means patience)
What I find slightly amusing is that we are actually encouraging liberalism, and I suppose some conservatives find it distasteful, but balance is critical to reformation.
*shrug* Japan rather quickly reformed after we crushed their will to fight.