coherent ideology, which represents a first—order threat to our security, or are we facing, despite some common themes, a series of disconnected security challenges, each of which require handling on its own terms based on local circumstances? —— radical islam. it is as a problem or only its manifestation in violent extremism. is it akin to revolutionary communism and must be countered by security and ideological measures over the long—term, or is that overstate it, overestimate it, and by the interventions in afghanistan and iraq, to elevate its appeal rather than diminish it —— appeal rather than diminish it —— appeal rather than diminish it —— appeal rather than diminish it is a fundamental strategic question and it needs a clear answer. in my view,