The 9/11 lesson America forgot

The article argues that America has forgotten the core lesson of 9/11: understanding the Islamist ideology behind the attacks. While recognizing violent jihadism, the U.S. has become reluctant to examine the religious and political ideology from which it emerges, fearing accusations of prejudice against Muslims. The author distinguishes between "fast jihad" (spectacular violence) and "slow jihad" (advancement of Islamist ideas through institutions, propaganda, and social pressure). The article contends that while criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic, denying Israel's right to exist is "anti-Israelism," a form of antisemitism. It highlights how Islamist movements, once entrenched, become difficult to dislodge, citing examples in Gaza and Lebanon. The author criticizes a "suicidal empathy" in progressive circles, where tolerance is extended to ideas that would not tolerate their defenders, as evidenced by reactions to the October 7th attacks and the rise of politicians with concerning rhetoric and associations. The piece concludes by urging a recalibration: welcoming Muslims who embrace liberal democracy while rejecting those hostile to its values, and scrutinizing Islamist ideology without equating it with prejudice against Muslims.