West Won Tactical Battles Against Bin Laden But Lost Strategic War on Terror

A quarter-century after the September 11th attacks, the West has achieved significant military and intelligence victories against terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, leading to the elimination of Osama bin Laden and the degradation of terrorist infrastructure. However, despite these tactical successes, the author argues that the West has lost confidence in the righteousness of its fight against terrorism.

This strategic paradox, according to Dr. Eitan Lesri, stems from the West's failure to confront the underlying ideologies that fuel extremism. While the focus has been on dismantling operational capabilities, the West has shied away from identifying and combating the radical ideologies, often due to fears of being labeled Islamophobic. This contrasts with Israel's approach, which recognizes that terrorism involves a complete chain from organization and funding to incitement and ideology, requiring a comprehensive response beyond just targeting operatives.

Europe is highlighted as a prime example of this Western weakness. The article contends that European governments have failed to address the creation of alienated, socially isolated Muslim enclaves where radical ideologies can flourish. This failure, coupled with a lack of strict integration principles for mass immigration, has created a fertile ground for extremism. The author asserts that while freedom of religion is important, it should not extend to undermining democratic principles, and that democracies must defend themselves against internal threats.

The October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel are presented as a stark revelation of the West's moral compass breakdown. Instead of unequivocal support for Israel, the author observes a trend of justifying terrorism as resistance and blaming the victim. This is further exemplified by the situation on American university campuses, where, according to the article, Jewish students feel unsafe and calls justifying attacks on civilians are heard, indicating a deep erosion of Western values.

Israel, the author concludes, cannot afford to emulate Western naivete or embarrassment. As a democracy in the Middle East, Israel must act with both operational and ideological resolve, focusing on intelligence, deterrence, border security, and combating incitement. The core question 25 years after 9/11 is not about military might, but whether the West still believes in its right to exist and defend its values. Israel, the article posits, stands as a beacon of resistance against defeatism, a 'star' that must ensure its light as a strong, proud Jewish state never extinguishes.