David Ignatius of The Washington Post and RealClearPolitics wants us to think the U.S. can decide we are no longer in "the long war." Really? What alternate reality is he operating in?
He hears Obama and Romney say peaceful things in the foreign policy debate. They want to be elected and believe peaceful things will help with the women's vote.
What if our enemies think they are still fighting the long war? Islamists' objection to the U.S. is the pervasive "corrupting" influence of our culture which is spread around the world, and our support of Israel.
How does our deciding we aren't in the long war cause Islamists to become okay with that "corrupting" influence? With our support of Israel?
War-weariness means fighting the long war by other means - drones and hit squads, and the occasional bombing attack. War in the shadows. Neither Obama nor Romney raised the issue of the drone war.
For a much more realistic view of the issue, see this Wall Street Journal article by Michael J. Totten. His conclusion: the Islamic world will hate the U.S. whatever we do.
Hating feels so good. Plus blaming the U.S. is easier than blaming themselves for their lack of progress.
