The 9/11 Commission summarized America ’s failure to prepare for 9/11 attacks as a “failure of imagination.” However, in his recent book Future Jihad, Middle East expert Walid Phares argues that the failure was not imagination but rather education. Phares states,

In comparing my analysis of jihad tactics during the 1990s to the findings of the 9/11 Commission, one conclusion emerges: An obstruction of knowledge took place.

Throughout his book, Phares educates the reader as to the key doctrinal, historic, geopolitical and cultural factors that have produced the modern jihadist movement. He argues that the mandate of Islam and the flow of history predicted the contemporary terrorist crisis—but that few bothered to heed the warnings.

In addition, Future Jihad gives the reader plausible glimpses of a future pockmarked by Islamic Holy War, even—and especially—in America . Chapters bear such pertinent titles as The New Jihad, Jihadist Strategies against America , The Inevitability of 9/11, Bin Laden’s Strategy against America and America: Jihad’s Second Generation.

Phares argues that Islam has declared war on America and that Islam possesses a paradigm of success vastly different from the American win/lose view:

The “system” at war with America is in fact centuries old and cannot be defined solely in terms of countries, regimes, or leaders. I call this system the “mother ship.” I have seen its mechanisms at work, its complexities, and its long-term vision. The jihadists’ vision of defeat has not yet been understood by the West. Jihadists do not see the death of Osama or loss of Fallujah as a defeat. Neither do westerners correctly understand the jihadists’ vision of victory. In jihadists’ view, Allah determines both victory and defeat.

Because the future of American civilization depends upon an informed citizenry, it is incumbent that Americans understand the forces and beliefs that shape the jihadist mindset. The time for blissful ignorance has long passed, having expired with the crumbling of iconic American architecture on 9/11/01. Phares’ work Future Jihad will educate, warn, and stir the reader to action—hopefully before it is too late.