Choosing our words strategically
Exactly. The aim is to isolate our enemies, not to unnecessarily create new ones through the use of sloppy language. This is a point I’ve made before.Federal agencies, including the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Counter Terrorism Center, are telling their people not to describe Islamic extremists as “jihadists” or “mujahedeen,” according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. Lingo like “Islamo-fascism” is out, too.
The reason: Such words may actually boost support for radicals among Arab and Muslim audiences by giving them a veneer of religious credibility or by causing offense to moderates.
It’s long overdue, since Dr. Streusand and LTC Tunnell made essentially the same point two years ago. [pdf]
