This is a very interesting point of view from a very insightful writer.
I think there is a lot of merit to thinking of the "war on terror" as a non-western-style blood feud with sporadic and unpredictable attacks on random civilians rather than a tradtional uniformed soldier/sailor army/navy war.
However, one point I would raise is that the islamo-fanatic terrorists probably WOULD like to make their attacks far more often and far more potent, but are being successfully deterred and prevented by improved US and worldwide security systems.
Thus I do not believe that al Quada and its cohorts "have no interest in bringing their enemy [i.e. the West] to its knees".. which is what Harris says typical blood feud participants believe. I think Osama and his band of terrorists GREATLY DESIRE to crush the west and would do so as quickly and as often and as effectively as they could if they were not actively prevented.
To them, I think it IS a war in which the object is to destroy the enemy either physically or spiritually so they give up the will to resist. The "sporadic and random" nature of the attacks so far is more a product of their inability to do more and the prevention efforts of security agencies thankfully thwarting most of their plans.
Thus I do not believe that al Quada and its cohorts "have no interest in bringing their enemy [i.e. the West] to its knees".. which is what Harris says typical blood feud participants believe. I think Osama and his band of terrorists GREATLY DESIRE to crush the west and would do so as quickly and as often and as effectively as they could if they were not actively prevented.
I'm certain that the terrorists greatly desire to crush the west, but they cannot no matter how hard they try....by themselves.
What they are attempting to do is to goad the West into abuse and revenge of the muslims in our midst.
Thus providing the Umma with the proof of their claim to
be the protectors of Islam, at which point THEY will control
the two holy cities and have the resources and an enormous
pool of willing recruits with which to wage the war they seek.
Good point. Remember they (Islamic terrorist) first attacked rulers in the middle east Egypt, Algeria Saudia Arabia...etc., when they were unsuccessful there they turned their attention to "The West".