WALID PHARES: More Arabs and Muslims reject the Terrorists' horrors

I was on MSNBC today at 1:45.  I discussed that "indeed we can clearly see a new trend coming out of the region: More Arabs and Muslims are speaking up against the Terrorists methods and violence ... not only was this visible in the recent PEW report and articulated in today's Christian Science Monitor, but it is seen and heard on Arab media and web sites."

I have been recently on Arab TV and radio along with a number of intellectuals from the region and I have witnessed the changes. You have essentially three categories: A group A, supporting the Jihadists and endorsing their actions, even though leading to horrors. This hard core Jihadi current won't change, short of a reform within its own ideology. A group B, resents foreign interventions, including for many US presence, but is shifting away from the support to the Terrorists. And a Group C, which is rising against the Jihadi Terrorists and is supportive of American-led initiatives in the region. In short, A is stable, B is changing rapidly, and C is developing slowly.

Images such as the massacre of the children in Baghdad at the hands of Zarqawi's terrorists have left tremendous reactions in the hearts and minds of viewers in the region." Asked as to what should be US policies to encourage that trend, I said: "support the democratic elements in the region, their NGOs, human rights groups and also have Western leaders clarify the identity of the common enemy. Recently, President Bush, Prime Minister Blair and President Putin have been making slow progress in that direction. They have been finally talking about a criminal ideology. That would help finding allies in the region who are opposed to the ideology of the Terrorists."