Your wrong there too danoff. The war on terror is an ideological war, Just like the cold war was. For it to be a religious war, there would have to be another faith involved. As far as I am aware, there is no other faith involoved - though the Pope has done a good job of putting Catholicism in the firing line.
The trouble with ideological wars is that they never truly go away. As long as the idea remains, so to will the threat. Communism fell, but there is still Communism. The same will apply for terrorism. We may destroy Al-Qaeda, but the threat of terrorism will always be with us, and it will strike again when we least expect it. The next big attack could be weeks, months, or years away, but when it happens, we will not be able to stop it.
To remove the threat totally, every radical muslim would have to agree to a complete 'brain-wipe', and we would then have to destroy every piece of literature ever written relating to Jihad or radical extremism. Apart from the obvious reasons why it would not be possible, its impractical. Instead of destroying and imposing, we should be creating and empowering. When I say empowering, I don't necessarily mean through the ballot box either. Wealth can empower, as can education. 'Empty vessels make the most noise' is a popular phrase. Now, think of it another way. 'People who have nothing are more likely to rise in revolt'. History has show us that it is the case. Also, history has shown us that ulitimately, the 'people' always win.
If the war on terror is to achieve its goals, I feel a major rethink of the long term strategy is needed. If that Involves a little dialog, then so be it. Besides, who knows if our governments have not already started some form of dialog with the terrorists? If they had, do you think they would tell us? The war on terror might be common knowledge, but that does not mean the tactics are.
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