The true end to Islamism can only come from the Moslem world rejecting this radicalism that disrupts and destroys through terror and intimidation. To achieve that change of Moslem minds will require addressing the issues held by the greater Moslem community, addressing these issues in a peaceful coherency that generates confidence in co-existence rather than suspicion in factionalism … but first, we must accept that we are at war not at peace. Yes. To use the New Testament phrase, it's like pruning the native stock from the olive tree. The question is: how? How does this gentler Islam get a firm grip?
I can think of a couple of ways. First, create something like "Radio Free Islam." Offer TV and radio broadcast facilities to moderate Islamic clerics, to strengthen their message.
Second, we have to identify and address some of the conditions which drive people toward the Islamists. I've seen plenty of hooting by FReepers, directed toward those who mention "root causes," but there's something going on that drives folks to become martyrs. What is it, and is there something we can do to control it?
Along those lines, I'd point to the Palestinian refugee camps. Palestinians have been living in those camps since 1948(!!) in often squalid conditions. The fact of the camps' continued existence is mostly the fault of Arab governments, and of the PLO, and from such camps come men, steeped in hatred, who are willing to die for the cause.
Similar stories are available throughout the Moslem countries, which suggests that the problem has to do with the tendency of Moslem governments are often religious and secular (I believe the word is Shariah?). Thus, one starting place would be to foster -- evangelize is perhaps the right word -- the sort of explicitly secular movement that made Turkey a basically hospitable country.
," but there's something going on that drives folks to become martyrs. What is it, and is there something we can do to control it?" You are on the right track or you are getting warm. Perhaps one way we can all diffuse this threat would be for us all to learn our faith whatever that may be, always seeking the truth and at the same time learning a little bit about the other world religions and why they should be rejected. For the sake of argument if you put the beliefs of these idiots under the microscope they cannot stand the test of truth and what is truly frightening is our countries experience in Vietnam and all the socialists we now have in Congress and other places. Certain groups of people have had to deal with this reality for generations and have dealt with it successfully we should be looking at that, Scripture most notably Revelations 18 gives us a little hint as to why some bad things happen. The bottom line is that we all need to do our little part to prevent anthing like this from ever happening again.
U like your thinking! Radio Free Islam. Now, suppose the hollywierds would have a telethon to raise the money for funding? Oops, that place is full of traitors and self-absorbed hedonists! I still like your idea though.