As you go through your readings consider all that you have learned thus far concerning the Westâs perception of the metamorphosis of Islam from a religion that was not in the past characterized by murderous intolerance (a description that was much more credible when speaking of its Crusader opposition) to one with, as Harvard Professor Samuel Huntington puts it, âbloody borders. For purposes of our threaded discussion, propose changes that governments and businesses in the West might consider with regard to foreign policy, economic policy, etc. that might serve to mollify the Muslim world.
Alternatively, should "we" in the West even care what "they" in the Middle East and elsewhere think, and is rapprochement with the Muslim world even possible given the seemingly great differences in culture and values. Given events like the destruction on 9/11; bombings in the UK, Spain, and Jordan; riots in France; the assault in Mumbai; the disturbances in Europe and elsewhere five years ago in response to the âinsensitiveâ cartoon of the Profit Mohammed printed in many European newspapers, San Bernardino, the Paris and Belgium attacks and the recent London attack; and as much as it pains me to include it, the events at Ft. Hood, Texas, at the end of the day, is Huntingtonâs âClash of Civilizationsâ coming to pass as a caged death match between Western Civilization and Islam?