[Paul R.]

I disagree with your statement: “Islam must have its reformation as well if the West is to survive another 100 years.”

For one thing, I suspect Islam (or at least part of Islam) is planning on “taking down” the West over a longer period.

More to the point, though, the more radicalized factions want to do it faster, and, yes, they might be able to do it, but if they go too fast, the West (possibly with aid from India) will still have overwhelming technology and arms, and pushed too hard / damaged too painfully, will react by destroying most of Islam. Yes, I am talking about a nuclear WW3, and, perhaps it is the most likely scenario.

I think Bush’s long term intent has been to both try to avoid an eventual capitulation of the West AND try to avoid WW3, by sewing seeds for a hoped for something of that reformation you speak of.

[Cronos]

Note that the "reformation" in Christianity was fundamentalism like the Puritans burning down Churches, icons, etc. Isl has had it's reformation -- the Wahabbis and the Taliban.

christian reformation only led to more wars, more fundamentalism and more extremism. Only the industrial era and the liberal age destroyed that (when was the last time you heard of puritans, while the Presbyterians and other Protestant Churchs are nearly defunct (only the new Evangelicals are there along with the Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental and Assyrian Church).

What you're looking for is a weakening of religious fervor.