New Report on Terrorism: Experts Say U.S. Must Separate Muslim Faith from Extremism

The Associated Press website reports today (July 12, 2010) that the Obama Administration's recent move to drop rhetorical references to Islamic radicalism is drawing fire in a new report warning the decision ignores the role religion can play in motivating terrorists.

In the report -- scheduled to be officially released next week -- counterterrorism experts from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy argue that the U.S. could clearly articulate the threat from radical Islamic extremists "without denigrating the Islamic religion in any way."

The analysts of the report also warn that U.S. diplomacy must sharpen the distinction between the Muslim faith and violent Islamist extremism, identify radicalizers within Islamic communities, and empower voices that can contest the radical teachings.

The report acknowledges that the Obama administration has beefed up efforts to work with the Muslim community in the U.S. and abroad, and has also expanded counterterrorism operations and tried to erode and divide al-Qaida and its affiliated groups.