Islamic Extremism and the War of Ideas

John Hughes examines lessons learned from the practice of public diplomacy--especially international broadcasting--in the cold war and tells how the United States could more effectively counter extremism, promote democracy, and improve understanding of itself in the Islamic world. He offers Indonesia as a successful example of the melding of democracy, Islam, and modernity and suggests that this country and other nations where Islam and democracy coexist--such as Turkey--could play a significant role in helping thwart Islamist extremism.