Britain needs a war on extremism

FP‘s very own James Forsyth, in between writing missives for Passport and cranking out op-eds for the New York Daily News, has been busy scribbling some excellent analysis for ForeignPolicy.com on why homegrown terror plots seem to be a recurring theme of recent British summers. James argues that neither Iraq nor socio-economic disparities can adequately ...

607437_Forsyth25.jpg
607437_Forsyth25.jpg

FP's very own James Forsyth, in between writing missives for Passport and cranking out op-eds for the New York Daily News, has been busy scribbling some excellent analysis for
ForeignPolicy.com
on why homegrown terror plots seem to be a recurring theme of recent British summers. James argues that neither Iraq nor socio-economic disparities can adequately explain why some Britons are driven to plot against their neighbors. But what then explains why, in several polls, "57 percent of British Muslims regarded the campaign against the Taliban as a war on Islam, 40 percent thought those Britons who went to fight with the Taliban were justified, and 15 percent viewed the attacks on the Twin Towers as in some way warranted"? It's time, James insists, for Britain to wage an ideological war on the extremists.  

FP‘s very own James Forsyth, in between writing missives for Passport and cranking out op-eds for the New York Daily News, has been busy scribbling some excellent analysis for
ForeignPolicy.com
on why homegrown terror plots seem to be a recurring theme of recent British summers. James argues that neither Iraq nor socio-economic disparities can adequately explain why some Britons are driven to plot against their neighbors. But what then explains why, in several polls, “57 percent of British Muslims regarded the campaign against the Taliban as a war on Islam, 40 percent thought those Britons who went to fight with the Taliban were justified, and 15 percent viewed the attacks on the Twin Towers as in some way warranted”? It’s time, James insists, for Britain to wage an ideological war on the extremists.  

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

More from Foreign Policy

The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.
The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.

America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose

Global war is neither a theoretical contingency nor the fever dream of hawks and militarists.

A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.

The West’s Incoherent Critique of Israel’s Gaza Strategy

The reality of fighting Hamas in Gaza makes this war terrible one way or another.

Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.
Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.

Biden Owns the Israel-Palestine Conflict Now

In tying Washington to Israel’s war in Gaza, the U.S. president now shares responsibility for the broader conflict’s fate.

U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.
U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.

Taiwan’s Room to Maneuver Shrinks as Biden and Xi Meet

As the latest crisis in the straits wraps up, Taipei is on the back foot.