Abstract: …this is not a global war against a tactic-terrorism or a religion-Islam." 2 Negative Muslim perceptions of the U.S. need to be understood if there is any hope of reversing the trend.Finally, the monograph deals with contemporary Islam, radicalism, and the issue of a fractured community.The current world of Islam is in many respects no different from the Islam during other periods in its history.Islam's internal conflict highlights the reason why Pan-Islamic movements never gain traction and the disjointed nature of radical Islam.While Islam might provide a common "cover story" for movements and groups, it is the local political, social, and cultural issues that are driving their policies and actions.Dr. Barrett posits that the West must focus less on Islam as an ideology and more on those local issues that drive the threat.The insights provided by Dr. Barrett in this monograph challenge the reader to rethink how one approaches the challenges in the Middle East.The U.S. military and Special Operators in particular are involved in an ongoing conflict in a region they must understand before long-term solutions are feasible.The roots of the current conflict can be found in the past.Understanding the idea of unity in Islam (the "imagined community"), the changing role of the U.S. in the region, and the current fractured Islamic community will assist in refocusing efforts on the local level where gains can be achieved.