[Revolting cat!]

I wonder if you've read Mark Helprin's more specific analysis (though still lacking practical solutions): War in the Absence of Strategic Clarity

[epigone73]

No, can't say I saw that one. There's plenty of good stuff out there of course; my own was an attempt to bring a slightly different perspective to the problem.

I do not view western civilization as the best of all possible; in point of fact, I believe we did make a mistake in taking the Faustian bargain.

But, having taken the deal, we might at least secure for ourselves (and our posterity --sorry, couldn't resist) the temporary advantages of the bargain.

to repeat, I am by no means confident that the west will emerge triumphant, or even that it will survive in its present form for much longer. But, for all its problems and shortcomings, I would certainly prefer it to a universal caliphate any day of the week and twice on Shabbas.