Feedback | 16 July 2005 | The Spectator

After the bombs

Words of condemnation are not enough. Here are a couple of suggestions about how to act after the bombings of last week.

First, we must fight back by stepping up the war in Iraq. If the insurgents win, it will embolden terrorists throughout the Middle East, since it will demonstrate that the most powerful nations on earth cannot stop a relatively small number of radical Muslims. But if we win, it will cause the Middle East itself to turn towards representative government and Western values. Nothing is more important for future world security.

Second, we must encourage Muslims in this country to stand up for freedom. What about a new wristband campaign — Make Terrorism History — that would cost them little to join and would isolate dissenters? The proceeds could go to a new satellite channel which would broadcast British Muslims’ ideas about Western values to the Middle East.