Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Seminar

Moderating Islam: The Ideological Dimension of the War on Terror

Open to the Public

As military solutions falter, U.S. policymakers and scholars increasingly look to Europe for guidance on how to deal with the "Islamic" component of "Islamic terrorism."  In European security discourse, Islam is divided into two opposing camps locked in a "war of ideas" in which Western governments must take sides and nurture the "real," "authentic" Islam.  This presentation examines how this strategy is slowly finding its way into U.S. policy circles and discusses the causes and consequences of this new ideological dimension of the War on Terror.  In particular, what are the potential consequences of the religion of Islam now becoming the target of securitizing moves and can the promotion of "real" or "authentic" Islam be made consistent with the core values of liberal internationalism, especially the promotion of international religious freedom by the United States? 

PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION!

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Date: Time: - Location: Rubenstein Building - Room 415
Muslim leaders, scholars, & imams at a news conference, July 15, 2005, condemning the July 7 London terrorist attacks, saying the perpetrators had violated the Quran by killing innocent civilians and that no one should consider them martyrs.

About

As military solutions falter, U.S. policymakers and scholars increasingly look to Europe for guidance on how to deal with the "Islamic" component of "Islamic terrorism."  In European security discourse, Islam is divided into two opposing camps locked in a "war of ideas" in which Western governments must take sides and nurture the "real," "authentic" Islam.  This presentation examines how this strategy is slowly finding its way into U.S. policy circles and discusses the causes and consequences of this new ideological dimension of the War on Terror.  In particular, what are the potential consequences of the religion of Islam now becoming the target of securitizing moves and can the promotion of "real" or "authentic" Islam be made consistent with the core values of liberal internationalism, especially the promotion of international religious freedom by the United States? 

This presentation is part of a wider project by the author that examines the role of religion in Western security discourse. 

PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION!

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.