On three occasions in the past few days, I’ve been approached separately by three of my children, ranging in age from 9 to 28, each of whom asked in different ways, “What is this war with ISIS all about?” Adjusting my answer according to their age, understanding and education, I spoke of various factors behind the new war, trying to give more of the context, history and reality of what is going on, behind the blizzard of contradictory bull that surrounds the operation.
But later it occurred to me that the most direct — and truest — answer could be found in a short clip from an old film, made more than 30 years ago, in a scene set in the midst of a conflict now an entire century in the past. But the answer given then is most assuredly true now.
So here it is, delivered at a cozy black-tie dinner at the well-appointed Liberal Club of Portland, Oregon:
See also:
Why the Showdown with Islamic Extremists Is the War the Pentagon Was Hoping For
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