The Foreign Service Journal, April 2003

Cultural Engagement Finally, the U.S. should com- bat anti-Americanism through cultural engagement. Many plans are already in the works to do so. Typically, this involves some kind of cultural exchange between U.S. and Central Asian counterparts, but the effort, at least in its early stages, has been lopsided. For example, when Central Asian religious scholars visit the U.S. to witness how the Muslim community in America practices its faith freely, they learn something valuable. They no longer can view the U.S. simplistically as the source of secularism, materialism and global immorality (assum- ing they had such views in the first place). On the con- trary, they understand the U.S. as a state that protects religious freedom. This is important, but only half the battle. What has not occurred is much learning in the West about Central Asian culture. Only when Central Asians feel that their cul- ture and traditions are valued and respected in the West will they find no reason to harbor resent- ments against the United States. The foregoing leads to two surprising conclusions. First, something as challenging and complex as Islamism has roots in something as simple as a region’s collective identity and self-esteem. Striking though it is, this is what the region’s recent his- tory suggests. Second, areas of the world (such as Central Asia) that are otherwise unlikely candidates for Islamist mobilization, may in fact witness a significant degree of radical activism. What makes radical Islam marketable is a nascent anti-Americanism that the U.S. has every reason to be concerned about. F O C U S 42 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / A P R I L 2 0 0 3 Spend your time the way you want . Do the same with your per diem . • Free Breakfast Buffet • Fitness Center • Laundry • Sundowner socials Your per diem goes much farther. So the next time you travel, spend some time here at Staybridge Suites . And Make It Your Place. Tysons-McLean 6845 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 Phone: 703.448.5400 Fax: 703.506.0001 Owned by McLean Hotel LLC and Operated by Grand Duke Hotel, LLC Visit Staybridge Suites Interim Accommodations for Corporate and Government Markets Apartments, Townhouses & Single Family Homes “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” ❈ finder5@IX.netcom.com Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Pet Friendly 5105-L Backlick Road, Annandale, Virginia Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619 Executive Lodging Alternatives Something as challenging and complex as Islamism has roots in something as simple as a region’s collective identity and self-esteem.