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"What exactly is a "War on Terrorism"
“That depends, If you're a Liberal it means we must assemble a bunch of focus groups in an effort to find out why the terrorist hate us and do our very best to make them like us. Liberals would also have us finding ways to bridge the differences in our cultures and find a way to surrender ours. We would also have to disarm and turn the Pentagon into a homeless shelter, complete with a fast track method of making sure the rich pay their fair share of providing for those who find it offensive to work for a living”
“If you're a Conservative the "War on Terrorism" is a fight for our very survival from a group of blood thirsty radical muslims who are hell bent on killing us all. A conservative also believes that the "War on Terrorism" is a fight that must be taken to the enemy and the goal is to drain the swamp, not swat at the mosquito's. Then leave behind a constitution and a justice system”
“On the remote chance that the liberals could win a war, they would provide free fish for everyone, along with a schedule for the next delivery of free fish.”
“When conservatives win a war we provide a fishing pole and directions to the river.”

I thank you for your response. I was not asking for a political analysis of various political beliefs, but a simple straightforward definition.

What exactly is a "War on Terrorism?"

My dictionary’s main definition of war is: “contest or conflict by force of arms and other hostile measures between political bodies, as nations; also, the condition of affairs created by such a conflict.” And terrorism is: “a system of government or opposition to government by methods which excite fear.”

If these definitions are correct then a “War on Terrorism” is: “conflict by force of arms between political bodies or nations in opposition to ours by those who use methods which excite fear.”

I am still unable to understand the following about this war:

(1) Who are the parties in this war? In general it is “we” versus “them” with an occasional country defined to fit today’s particular action being taken, even if they did not commit any “terror” against us. While other countries who have committed “terror” against us are untouched. I am at a loss to understand this.

(2) If there is not a definite political body or nation we are at war with, when do we know we have got them all?

(3) When and/or how will we know if we have won or lost this war, or for that matter if we are winning or losing?

I believe these are legitimate questions to which we should all know the answers. It seems to me that in all prior wars to date, there was never any question about who, what, where, when, why, regardless of the war’s legitimacy or outcome.

PS: I am not a liberal.