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Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

U.S. counter-terrorism strategy is based on politically correct fictions, and is getting people killed

Oct 25, 2014 10:56 am By Robert Spencer

jihadistThis is exactly what I have been saying for years now. “CVE has been a colossal disaster because it has no roots in reality. It was always intended as a convenient fiction for politicians, bureaucrats, media and academics to avoid talking about the problem of the ideology that supports Islamic terrorism.”

“‘Lone Wolf,’ or ‘Known Wolf’? The Ongoing Counter-Terrorism Failure,” by Patrick Poole, PJ Media, October 24, 2014:

Katie Gorka of the Council on Global Security has released an important report, “The Flawed Science Behind America’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy,” and events of this week show that it couldn’t be more timely. The separate terror attacks in Canada and a long string of terror attacks here in the U.S. show that the counter-terrorism policies of Western governments are fundamentally broken, and are directly responsible for getting their citizens killed. Even as I write this there are breaking reports of yet another attack.

The primary targets of Gorka’s new report are the various fictitious narratives and bogus social science models that drive Western counter-terrorism efforts. Chief among these is the “countering violent extremism (CVE)” narrative that has been the centerpiece for U.S. intelligence and law enforcement.

CVE has been a colossal disaster because it has no roots in reality. It was always intended as a convenient fiction for politicians, bureaucrats, media and academics to avoid talking about the problem of the ideology that supports Islamic terrorism.

There has never once been a recorded case of anyone on the planet swearing their allegiance to the ideology of “violent extremism” and their willingness to kill others and die in the cause of “violent extremism.” It is a null set. There is nothing to counter, which is the whole point. And yet there are academics and institutions who are the beneficiaries of mountains of taxpayer cash to pursue the elusive CVE unicorn.

CVE has been used to smuggle all kinds of crackpot theories into not just our counter-terrorism policy, but also our foreign policy.

One crackpot theory has been that there are good Islamists that we can use against the bad Islamists. This was the keystone of the Obama administration’s Arab Spring policies. And this theory put into practice in Egypt, Libya, Syria and other places has left the Middle East in even worse shape than Obama found it.

As Gorka observes, the administration’s head cheerleader for this “good Islamist/bad Islamist” approach has been Quintan Wiktorowicz, who served as senior director of the National Security Council under Obama. But the disaster of the Arab Spring has prompted Wiktorowicz and his CVE pals to double-down on this approach. Now we have entirely new categories of actors, such as “vetted moderates,” and even “good bad Islamists,” who presumably are any jihadists not currently wearing a suicide belt….

Read the rest here.

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Filed Under: United States, Useful idiots, willful ignorance Tagged With: featured


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Comments

  1. Timothius says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 11:16 am

    Well! If it looks like poop, and it smells like poop, it’s probably is poop. But liberals want you to taste it too. So that at least they can say they weren’t looking for poop, and just stumbled on to it. Lord knows we wouldn’t want poop to feel that it’s being singled out.

    • Know Thy Enemy says

      Oct 26, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      I don’t think you know liberals (Leftists and Progressives to be precise). They taste the poop, say it is chocolate, and force us to believe it too!

  2. Ralph says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Because The Black Kenya Muslim President and His Black Muslim DOJ have the knowledge that the Islamist want no one saying Terrorist… allah’s army…

    • Don McKellar says

      Oct 25, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Racism has no place on Jihadwatch. It is counter to everything this site is all about. Everyone seems to know that except you, “Ralph”. Get off.

      • jihad3tracker says

        Oct 25, 2014 at 12:00 pm

        Agreed, Don, that pointing a finger at one race as the perpetrator is a convenient way of avoiding looking at one’s OWN ethnicity as guilty too in the denial of truth.

        I am white, and honestly acknowledge that us supposedly “superior” humans in that group are equally as moronic when it comes to obvious reality about Islam’s pathology.

      • gp says

        Oct 25, 2014 at 12:06 pm

        Exposing truth? Pointing out folly?

      • Roderick MacUalraig says

        Oct 26, 2014 at 12:24 am

        Agreed, Mac, … the physical characteristics are irrelevant!

        The men and women that hold the line beside us against totalitarianism do so because of the love of human freedom in their hearts, it matters not about their physical characteristics.

        The same with the enemies of human freedom, for whatever they look like, free humans must destroy them in order to have peace, liberty, and security.

        I always thought it was pretty simple, apparently some people still don’t get it.

      • Shane says

        Oct 26, 2014 at 10:14 am

        It is not racist to call Obama black, as this is how he identifies himself. It is dumb to call him a Muslim or a Kenyan though. He may prefer Islam to Christianity and be an Islamophile, but he is not a practicing Muslim.

        Obama should be condemned because he has refused to protect Americans from illegal aliens, Ebola, and Islamic terrorism. Obama and Holder have neutered our counter-terrorism people from going after Muslims.

        • TH says

          Oct 26, 2014 at 3:07 pm

          He could be calledphifiloislam or philo muslim, meaning friendly towards it. “Philía” in Greek means “friendship”

      • Pathfinder0100 says

        Oct 26, 2014 at 1:55 pm

        Ralph tells it like it is. Why is tht racism??

  3. Wellington says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 11:35 am

    Reality is a terrible thing to disregard. Here’s a reality: Islamic doctrines (e.g., death for apostasy) are behind Islamic terrorism.

    Unfortunately, this reality is presently being disregarded by a huge number of Western elites in the political realm, the media, law enforcement and, of course, in academia. This particular disregard of reality is extra dumb, extra dangerous and extra irresponsible.

    • katarzyna says

      Oct 25, 2014 at 2:11 pm

      u wrote: “Don is correct, Shirley Ann. If you can’t see racism in Ralph’s comment, then you haven’t looked hard enough. It’s there and any kind of racism can only discredit Jihad Watch”
      what can u see when u have a look at these lovely comments(just look hard enough): “NIce try. Well, not even a nice try. In any case, you failed. Yeah, you did.
      BTW, there are facts, lots of them, though in this factually challenged age we live in I can see why some people like yourself would like to feel (yes, “feel” is the correct word and not “think”) otherwise.
      As for Reza Aslan being able to “use the article against You {sic},” only in your dreams, pal. Hey, are you employed by RA or, perhaps, are you actually RA? Just wondering.
      Gravenimage’s October 19th, 2:30 A.M. response to you, katarzyna, is spot on, though I doubt you will learn anything from it. 
      Be wary of intellectuals (as opposed to intelligent people with common sense)….
      Put Derrida on the shelf, will you, and simply start thinking for yourself. You could make a good start in this direction by writing coherent, grammatically correct sentences.
      Right now, you strike me as one who overthinks things and who considers such overthinking as something wise and wonderful. Well, I got news for you———–it isn’t. Wise up, because you’ll make no progress here at JW by proffering an arid and pointless intellectualism. So far, this is all you have done. So get with it or get lost.”
      what do u see? I think it is called american’s white/black skin privilege. small letter used on purpose.
      [sic] You – Polish style of writing letter(matter of courtesy). to be honest I wanted to express my appreciation of RS for his work.
      I know I am right. as Nietzsche says: “The higher we soar the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.”
      to be clear u cannot fly.
      sorry 4 the late reply. I have just read ur rep/lies.
      kind regards to u – a citizen of obamaland/obolaland.

      • Wellington says

        Oct 25, 2014 at 2:39 pm

        Well, katarzyna, you don’t have to sugar coat things like you just did. Next time just give it to me straight and tell me what you really think about me. Have a nice decade.

        • katarzyna says

          Oct 26, 2014 at 4:00 pm

          I think you are a good, intelligent person(maybe sometimes a bit myopic). i want to be: ” Harsh and gentle, fine and mean,
          Quite rare and common, dirty and clean,
          The fools and the sages go-between:
          All this I will be, this have been,
          Dove and serpent and swine, I ween!”
          You are right its Nietzsche.
          Regards.

  4. Jaladhi says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 11:37 am

    Our media and government says – who cares if we get some innocent infidels get killed, but we are not demonizing Muslims for anything!! What a bunch of rascals we have in the government and media!!

  5. jihad3tracker says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 11:38 am

    Even though I am a lifelong Democrat, I and JW readers here know that our current president and virtually all members of that party have swallowed the privilege-guilt politically correct swill of “all religions deserve equal respect”.

    My contempt for Obama, Clinton, Kerry, etcetera is bottomless; they are repugnant cowards who will never tell the truth about Islam.

    BUT, EVEN AS CYNICAL AS SUCH A THOUGHT IS, KILLERS LIKE ISIS AND THE RECENT BUNCH OF JIHADISTS are waking up even the most clueless everyday workin’ stiffs.

    We still face a huge challenge of hate-filled leftists in urban areas refusing to acknowledge the obvious pathology of that well-known Religion of Peace, and lying media stars who are secretly afraid for their lives.

    Wait a couple more months as the slaughter continues, and whatever they say will be useless against reality. One indicator of how truth is creeping in : the increasing frequency with which CBS, ABC, NBC include these words in reports — ” . . . a recent convert to Islam . . .”

    • jihad3tracker says

      Oct 25, 2014 at 11:52 am

      OOOPS ! ! Forgot an important recommendation :

      I am sending a link for this superb document to my SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, both state and federal.

      It is not often that this depth of analysis drops into our laps — let’s not squander such a gift.

      In the email will also be mentioned Mr. Spencer’s site — suggesting that his biography be read first — just in case there is any doubt regarding expertise on Islam.

    • Jaladhi says

      Oct 25, 2014 at 11:52 am

      >” . . . a recent convert to Islam . . .”
      Yeah, this pet phrase is their crutch as it absolves other Mulsims of this type of behavior. Throughout the world in in ISIS, Taliban etc are the regular born in Islam Muslims who have practiced Islam from their childhood. Besides who are teaching Islam to new converts – the same old regular Muslims and their imams!!

      So the recent “convert bugaboo” is just media’s distraction from the main problem – Islam.

    • sheik yer'mami says

      Oct 25, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      ” our current president and virtually all members of that party have swallowed the privilege-guilt politically correct swill of “all religions deserve equal respect”.”

      Not so. They have elevated Islam above all and denigrated our Judeo-Christian heritage.

    • TH says

      Oct 26, 2014 at 3:08 pm

      Where are the sane Republicans or those aware of the nature of the islamic beast?
      Haven’t heard from them lately.

  6. Don McKellar says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Big Oil and the US Military Industrial Complex make maximum profit from the way things are. Money talks. It’s up to the American voter to change that and vote for politicians who are not compromised by Big Oil and the Complex and have a sane platform for their foreign policy. Hard to find them, but you’re going to have to if you want things to change for the better.

    • gp says

      Oct 25, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      Do you drive a car? Fly on airplanes? Enjoy the conveniences, freedoms, and liberties afforded you by Big Oil and the US Military Industrial Complex?

      • Don McKellar says

        Oct 25, 2014 at 1:04 pm

        Yup. Only I drive cars, fly on planes, enjoy all the things you mention in C-A-N-A-D-A where US Big Oil and the US Military Industrial Complex is not a player in providing those things. They only function as leaches sucking on our economy with overpriced weapons for our military and trying to cut out Canadian companies whenever possible.

        Eh, wot?

        • jihad3tracker says

          Oct 25, 2014 at 1:19 pm

          One of the largest chunks of good fortune we uber-privileged Americans have is Canada next door, Don.

      • jihad3tracker says

        Oct 25, 2014 at 1:15 pm

        Spot-on. Nowadays political office = $$$$$$$$ . . . for both established parties. No criticism of Don intended, BTW.

        I have been around long enough to see how candidates go down in flames — the ones NOT owned by political money from Big Oil / the M. I. C. / Mega-banks.

        Am I a participant in perpetuating this national disgrace ? Frankly, yes, but in my sixth decade on this planet, it’s too late for a leap out of the pickle barrel.

        Likely similar circumstances for many other readers here, too; “Would have – could have – should have” as the cliché puts such reality.

      • Know Thy Enemy says

        Oct 26, 2014 at 1:54 pm

        Guys, the US has been self-sufficient for almost a decade when it comes to oil. There will be little to no shock to our oil supply even if all the Arab states ban the sale of oil to USA.

        Also by now we ought to know how evil Islam is. If kicking Islam out of US means going back to riding horses, SO BE IT!

        • TH says

          Oct 26, 2014 at 3:13 pm

          i believe self-sufficiency has been achieved in gas already, but it is not expected to take place in oil until 2021. It is not that difficult to change cars to make them use natural gas, It is a lot cheaper than gasoline and a lot more environment friendly. Its use is common in many countries. So, another embargo like that of 1973 would not have nearly as negative effect.

        • Know Thy Enemy says

          Oct 26, 2014 at 3:34 pm

          @TH ok you are right. According to wikipedia we still import some 19% of oil from ME countries. Now 19% is not a small percentage but it is also not so large IMO to cause a big shock to Americans, especially since the trend is already moving towards energy independence.

          I agree with your take on natural gas use.

  7. gp says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    On Islam:

    “What the horn is to the rhinoceros, what the sting is to the wasp, the Mohammadan faith is to the Arabs.”

    ON APPEASEMENT:

    “There is no greater mistake than to suppose that platitudes, smooth words, and timid policies offer a path to safety.”

    “How many wars have been averted by patience and good will?”

    “An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last.”

    “When nations are strong, they are not always just and when they wish to be just, they are no longer strong.”

    “Victory will never be found by taking the line of least resistance.”

    “I cannot subscribe to the idea that it might be possible to dig ourselves in and make no preparations for anything else than passive defense. It is the theory of the turtle.”

    “I never worry about action, but only about inaction.”

    “He was given a choice between war and dishonor. He chose dishonor and he will have war anyway.”

    -Sir Winston Churchill

  8. richard Sherman says

    Oct 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    If your mentor is a card carry Communist(Frank Marshall Davis),.then you are a Communist and therefore you despise everything that has made America great…and you want America to fail.

  9. Thomas Wells says

    Oct 26, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    Who says we have an anti jihad policy? The obamanite regime is doing anything it can to shove these murderous barbarians and their pychopathetic thoughs down our throat. The “Tap dancing with Obama” show sells us the poisonous snake oil and keeps chanting :” open the gates of Troy-it did wonders for civilization”. There is no future in America for those who creap down the beastly path of the profit(sic) of islam. lock and load.

  10. Uncle Vladdi says

    Oct 26, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Re: “There is nothing to counter, which is the whole point. And yet there are academics and institutions who are the beneficiaries of mountains of taxpayer cash to pursue the elusive CVE unicorn.”

    Well, of course! Their motto is: “THERE’S NO MONEY IN SOLUTIONS! Whee!”

    Here’s the REAL PROBLEM:

    http://unclevladdi.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/what-the-hell-is-this-radicalization-anyway-2/

    😉

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