Reza Aslan: Bush Right about Democracy and Terrorism

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/05/12/Reza_Aslan_How_to_Win_a_Cosmic_War

Author Reza Aslan argues that "George Bush was right," in describing democracy as an effective challenge to Islamic extremism, but notes that "we have to actually have the nerve to support these Islamist groups, if they are willing to take part in the political process."

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In his new book, the acclaimed writer of No god but God and Middle East analyst for CBS News Reza Aslan lays out, for the first time, a revolutionary assessment of the social movement behind al-Qaeda and like-minded militants throughout the Muslim world.

He argues the the goals and aspirations of Jihadists are so impossible to achieve in this life that they have been forced to transform their earthly struggle for power and influence into a metaphysical conflict between Good and Evil -- what he calls a Cosmic War.

Surveying the global scene, Aslan explores why religion is once again becoming the supreme marker of identity in nearly all parts of the globe.

In doing so, he launches a revolution in the way we understand -- and confront -- radical Islam. How do you win a cosmic war? Refuse to fight one. - First Congregational Church of Berkeley

Reza Aslan is a writer and scholar of religions. Born in Iran, Aslan is currently a research associate at the University of Southern California's Center on Public Diplomacy. He was a visiting assistant professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies at the University of Iowa and the Truman Capote Fellow in Fiction at the Iowa Writer's Workshop. A frequent commentator on television, radio, and in print, Aslan is a graduate of Santa Clara University, Harvard University, and the University of Iowa. He is the author of No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam and How to Win a Cosmic War: Why We're Losing the War on Terror.

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[IranianAtheism]

@xlunax86 Iran had a democracy with Mossadeq up until 1953 when the West decided to overthrow him because he had nationalized Iran's oil. It's simple and clear, America supports dictators and wants profits over people. As for these "ages" you list, was it not Europe that was in a dark age while the Near East was in a golden age? Have you forgotten Algebra and Trigonometry for starters were created by Iranians? Learn how the cycle of history works you shameless Orientalist.

[gratefulundead9]

I like this guy a lot. He makes very cohesive and potent arguments. But I would like to ask him (respectfully) how he feels about innocent Palestinians starving and suffering at the hands of, not just Israel, but a belligerent Hamas. I'm also curious as to how there is so much anti-West sentiment within these groups and yet foreign dollars have sustained oil-rich regions. (A weird relationship, indeed.)

But I love listening to him. He's well-informed; incredibly logical compared to tv pundits.

[Busticate]

Great that he is attempting to address ignorance towards the people of middle-east in particular, yet he fails his own. For instance, we know that the majority of people in Iran want a secular government. Possibly, an Iranian version of Liberal Democracy. Seems to be the case in Egypt and Tunisia. One must not forget that governments here are not representative of people. Hezbollah, Hamas, Taliban are not state actors, not representative, and not funded by people. Merely, stooges!

[halflifeproductionz]

@gratefulundead9 his probably the only muslim who tells it like it is. fuck hamas and fuck israeli warlords. Pro-PEACE!!

[IranianAtheism]

@xlunax86 The point is Iranians are not "backwards" or "primitive" or "lost in civilization".

[xlunax86]

Islam didn't create this golden age of knowledge they merely inherited it from the Oriental empire the same way Christianity absorbed the Occidental empire.

[xlunax86]

@xlunax86 rea//son --> resources

[xlunax86]

@IranianAtheism What are you suggesting America declare war on every country in the middle east until they are democracies. One we don't have the reason second what in for us, other than dead soldiers. Do you own fighting, as Egypt and Tunisia have proved, no one was ever stopping them, but themselves. So shut the fuck up you lazy atheist. Oh learn your own history your democracy was corrupt and crumpled on it's own. Your king was the only thing holding it in place.

[ReadingMostly]

Worth recognizing that Hezbollah indeed can only take part in a democratic process if its encouraged. So lets unpack that - It essentially means requiring them to give up all the agility it has as a non-elected group with government support to conduct its activities. Then eject primary ideas about how societies are run which are infact distinct from modern democracy... So why do people need reminding that they are the ones that constantly walk away from talks of their own volition. Grow up Reza.

[HKNajjar]

Well articulated.