" That sounds like a liberal escape route. How would you defeat them? Not some generic subjective answer."
Don't ask a generic subjective question if you don't want a generic subjective answer. What exactly are you looking for? Ultimately we win because AQ don't get what they desire - a polarised conflict between a radical Islamic entity and the rest of the World. Unfortunately, some people seem to think that the only way to win is to facilitate the conflict that AQ want and then defeat them militarily in some huge bloodbath. I disagree.
If you were asking specifically what tactics should be used, then that would obviously depend on specific situations.
The situation. Young Muslim Animals kills at least 50 people in London, disappears into the Muslim community, no ones talking about suspicions or unusual activity in this Muslim community. All the Muslims "condemn" the act after they blame US and UK. They then cry about being profiled and yell don't blame all Muslims for the act of a few but still don't provide any information because their Koran says not to. Please explain how you would defeat this enemy?