This article draws the distinction between American and European attitudes on this issue better than any I have seen. We look at the status quo and see a nest of terrorists. We find that to be unacceptable and intend to shake things up. Obviously, our action may have results that can't be fully anticipated. However, we have enough confidence to think we can acheive a better result than what is there now.
On the other hand, Europeans fear what might happen and accept the status quo because it is at least known. Americans will not be slapped in the face and just let it slide. Europe has lost the capacity to do anything about it, even if they wanted to.
The biggest question I have (which has not been perceived by the author of this article) is whether America has been weakened by the forces of political corectness, diversity, and multi-culturalism to the point where may lack the strength and will to prevail in this struggle. I think we need to get started sooner rather than later. Time may not be on our side.