One of the historians of the Barbary conflict, Frank Lambert, argues that the imperative of free trade drove America much more than did any quarrel with Islam or “tyranny,” let alone “terrorism.” He resists any comparison with today’s tormenting confrontations. “The Barbary Wars were primarily about trade, not theology,” he writes. “Rather than being holy wars, they were an extension of America’s War of Independence.” DING DONG! Anyone home, Mr. Lambert?
The Islamic terrorists of September 11, 2001 struck the World TRADE Center!
Heh, and to top that off, the Barbary Pirates were making a point of killing, robbing, and enslaving Christians.