9/11 Commission chairmen: Terror threat worse now than in 2001

The approach of the past 15 years, dominated by military counterterrorism operations, will not suffice. In the 9/11 Commission Report, we warned that terrorism would “menace Americans and American interests long after Osama bin Laden and his cohorts are killed or captured.” We stressed that our strategy “must match our means to two ends: dismantling the al-Qaeda network and prevailing in the longer term over the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism.” We have yet to match our military might with an equal focus on the ideological aspects of the struggle. Until we do, this threat will not diminish.

Advanced by deft use of the media, deeply rooted organizations, exploitation of economic and political grievances, and with support from certain governments, the ideological landscape of the Muslim world is inundated with extremist narratives. These radical perversions of Islam might not condone violence, but they crowd out mainstream, tolerant and pluralistic ideas. The prevalence of even non-violent extremism can also acclimate communities to the siren song of terrorism.

The evidence of this link between extremist beliefs and terrorism is ample. A British government review of the Muslim Brotherhood found that, while the group itself might not be involved in terrorism, “both as an ideology and as a network it has been a rite of passage for some individuals and groups who have gone on to engage in violence and terrorism.”