Islamic Terrorism On The Rise

The religion of "peace" just sent out another "peaceful" message of carnage and bloodshed outside of a Coptic Christian church in Alexandria, Egypt shortly after midnight on New Year's Day. As news emerged from that sorrowful situation, the media reported 21 people killed and at least 80 more injured.

According to an eye witness, the explosives originated from within a car emblazoned with the words, "More to come." This tragic event comes after weeks of open and unveiled threats against Christian leaders and churches in Egypt. A memo recently published by Al Qaeda listed Egyptian churches and pastors—including some people known to me personally—that they wanted to reach out to with their brand of "peace." Some of the targeted individuals mentioned are truly some of the most peaceful, loving, and caring human beings I've ever known.

What emboldened this action on the part of Muslim terrorists against Christians? I believe that it was the impotence, or should I say selective impotence, of the government of President Mubarak. In the past, terrorist activities by Islamic extremists that impacted the Egyptian economy caused the government to move swiftly to eliminate the perpetrators. But of late, as attacks on Christians happened again and again and again, the government and its security apparatus dragged its feet.

Weakness or the appearance of weakness always leads to disastrous consequences: this is a lesson that the Obama administration needs to heed. What our government and others around the world need to realize is that, our enemies are confused by signs of weakness and mixed messages. They only respect and respond to strength, even though they may resent it.

No wonder terrorists felt that they were on safe ground to attack this very large church. I have often sympathized with President Mubarak's dilemma, but I fear that he is about to commit the same mistake that his immediate predecessor, Anwar Sadat, committed: namely, taking selective action against Islamic extremists.

This lack of action could bring about the demise of his regime which would spell disaster not only for Egypt, but for the whole region. It is unthinkable to imagine that Egypt could become the Lebanon of the 70's or the Iraq of the 2000's. This would be catastrophic to the U.S. interest in the region, to say nothing of Israel's and other Christian minorities' existence.

Sadly, when Condoleezza Rice ignorantly and insensitively dressed down President Mubarak and read him the riot act regarding the need for democracy, her rebuke was misguided. It contributed to the weakening of his regime. Now I hope that Hillary Clinton can read the riot act to Egyptian officials to jolt them back to being:

Fair minded toward Christians and other minorities by granting them the same liberties as the Muslim majorities.Willing to bring back law and order to eradicate Islamic terrorism, as only the Egyptian security apparatus can do.