KRAUTHAMMER ON PIPES
Charles Krauthammer, not surprisingly, thinks Daniel Pipes is an excellent choice for the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Pipes is a former professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He has taught history and Islamic studies at Harvard and the University of Chicago. He is a scholar and the author of 12 books, four of which are on Islam. Unlike most of the complacent and clueless Middle East academic establishment, which specializes in the brotherhood of man and the perfidy of the United States, Pipes has for years been warning that the radical element within Islam posed a serious and growing threat to the United States.
During the decades when America slept, Pipes was among the very first to understand the dangers of Islamic radicalism. In his many writings he identified it, explained its roots — including, most notably, Wahhabism as practiced and promoted by Saudi Arabia — and warned of its plans to infiltrate and make war on the United States itself.
Sept. 11, 2001, demonstrated his prescience. Like most prophets, he is now being punished for being right. The main charge is that he is anti-Muslim. This is false. Pipes is scrupulous in making the distinction between radical Islam and moderate Islam. Indeed, he says, “Militant Islam is the problem, and moderate Islam is the solution.”
Krauthammer supports use of a recess appointment if necessary to get him on the board.
(Hat tip: Kathy Kinsley)
