The widespread condemnation of the latest string of terrorist attacks on Paris and the expression of collective outrage at them, matter greatly. But they are hardly adequate to diminish the possibility of a repeat of similar attacks by terrorists at a time and place of their choosing. By stepping up its offensive in Syria, France is falling into the trap of responding to provocations by Muslim extremists.
We cannot be blind to the glaring global realities with religions inextricably linked with politics, lifestyle, culture and race. A simplistic reading of issues involved gets us nowhere. The conflict between the West and the Islamic world cannot be viewed in reductionist terms as ‘a battle between good and evil’.