This book proposes a common framework and definition of "Militant Islamist Ideology" to be considered by all ranks within the military. It seeks to define the differences between Islam, Islamist, and Militant Islamist, with the objective of disaggregating the immediate threat posed by Militant Islamist groups, and separating them from Islamists and Islam. Winning this long war against militant Islamist ideology will require a higher level of nuanced understanding that will enable military personnel to comprehend that militant Islamists operate with the friction of diverse Islamic practices, nationalism, and tribalism inherent in the human landscape of the region.

Without a realistic and sound doctrine-based definition of the threat we shall be stuck between two extremes in American national policy discourse, those who advocate all Islam is evil and those who advocate all Islam is peace. These extremes are not effective in deriving effective policy or addressing the nuances and perversion that Militant Islamist ideology has wrought upon Islam. We cannot afford to call this phenomenon Islamism or Islamo-fascism and somehow link this as the new fascism or communism. Militant Islamists alienate not only Allied forces but even Islamist political groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and HAMAS. It is time for a more nuanced definition of the threat.

About the Author
CDR Aboul-Enein serves as a Senior Advisor and analyst at the Joint Intelligence Task Force for Combating Terrorism in the United States. He has advised at the highest levels of the Defense Department and Intelligence Community.