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Opposing Radical Islamist Terrorism Is a Moral Duty
(Sydney Morning Herald-Australia) Colin Rubenstein - The horrific bombing of the Boston Marathon demonstrated that the "age" of Islamist terrorism against Western civilian targets - heralded by the September 11, 2001, attacks - is not over. The terrorist threat has neither been neutralized nor relegated to the past. Evidence has mounted that lead plotter Tamerlan Tsarnaev was a disciple of radical Islamism. The attack was part of a wider reality of terror motivated by the spread of transnational, violent and radical Islamist ideology. There is no evidence that easing off on measures against Islamist jihadists will lead terrorists to reciprocate. Rather, past hints of such a relaxation have been viewed by extremists as a ''victory'' to be used as a recruitment tool. Opposing radical Islamist terrorism remains a moral duty and an overwhelming national interest, but it requires long-term vigilance. It is only when radical Islamist ideology is marginalized and discredited globally that the conflict with Islamist extremist terrorism will subside. The writer is executive director of the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council.