Yet, a deadly radical minority continues to exist. Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and other extremist groups are a threat to Muslim societies and to the West. Appealing to real as well as imagined injustices, they prey on the oppressed, alienated, and marginalized sectors of society. Thus, the short-term military response to bring the terrorists to justice must also be balanced by long-term policy that focuses on the core political, economic, and educational issues that contribute to conditions that breed radicalism and extremism.

The US-led war in Iraq has increased anti-US sentiment exponentially in the Muslim world as well as in European countries and elsewhere. In the Arab and Muslim world, it is seen as part of a new US empire’s war against Islam and the Muslim world, an attempt to redraw the map of the Middle East. The rage and alienation of a minority toward the United States, coupled with the authoritarianism, repression, and corruption of regimes and failed economies of many Muslim states, will produce new Osama bin Ladens and new al Qaeda-like movements.

The occupation of Iraq and establishment of a client state with a strong military presence coupled with stated goals to deal with Syria and Iran and reform allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia plays directly into the hands of militant extremists. However much many Arabs and Muslims want reform and democratization, they do not want Western-imposed reform and control in order to implement a New American Century.

In the 21st century, given the political and socioeconomic realities of the Muslim world, religion will continue to be an important presence and force. Islamic movements, mainstream and extremist, will be pivotal players. Relations between the Muslim world and the West will require a cooperative effort to eradicate or contain global terrorism while at the same time supporting mainstream Muslim efforts to democratize their societies.

The process will entail constructive engagement, dialogue, self-criticism, and change on both sides. The extremists aside, the bulk of criticism of Western, and particularly US foreign policy, from Islamic movements and Muslim populations in general comes from a mainstream majority that judges the West by whether its policies and actions reflect principles and values that are admired: self-determination, political participation, freedom, human rights, a desire for economic prosperity, peace, and security. In the end, the ability to communicate these values to Islamic movements and cooperate on policy initiatives will prove the coming years’ greatest cooperative challenge, both to Muslim and Western governments.