HOW WE WIN

A new approach to countering global
extremism.

From 2009 to 2014, Pandith, a senior
fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, visited 80
countries as the first U.S. special representative to Muslim communities to
investigate radicalization and millennial extremism, an issue she considers
“both a generational and a connected global problem.” The author’s efforts to
establish deeper connections in Muslim communities resulted in the formation of
the Countering Violent Extremism grassroots movement, although it would come
with its own set of challenges, which the author describes in detail. Pandith,
who has served under three presidential administrations, believes a global
identity crisis in younger Muslim generations is largely responsible for the
current potent extremist threat. This has occurred through the manipulations of
cultural, ideological, and economic elements, combined with negative Saudi
influences. In her years of outreach work, Pandith sought to empower Muslim
youth to resist the trend of replacing traditional culture with extremist
teachings. She criticizes the U.S. government for its multipronged attack that
engages too many different departments and agencies, all of which consistently
fail to sync. She blames senior government officials, who lack relevant
real-world knowledge of Muslim history or credible experience with grassroots
programs, for failing to truly connect with the core issue of radicalization. With
great passion and commitment, Pandith, a perceptive observer and strategic
thinker, argues that the fight must encompass elements of government, business,
private sector organizations, and local communities and philanthropists, all working
together with like-minded individuals to stem the extremist tide. Comprehensive
and expansive in scope, the narrative is unquestionably dense, which may push
away some readers. However, she effectively outlines how the war against the
extremist threat is being countered by diligent, structured efforts to
intercept vulnerable young minds. She remains cautiously optimistic that her
collaborative, “open power,” entrepreneurial, leadership-sharing approach could
make a world of difference, with or without the current administration’s
advocacy.

An inspired, intensively focused
examination of issues of and solutions about extremist ideology, sure to
inspire spirited debate.