There is some comfort we can take about the Libya tragedy, and the reactions to it by the Libyan people as pointed out in TB’s post. Ambassador Stevens and his comrades were casualties in the undercover war against Islamic terrorism, but the very fact that they were targeted by the enemy is evidence that our diplomatic and political strategy is not only succeeding, but hurting the Jihadists.

We have real friends now in that part of the world, a true foot in the door, instead of a bloodthirsty, unpredictable and mad dictator. The Arab Spring was coming, we had no choice but to get on the right side of it. This is driving the Jihadists crazy, and they are willing to do anything to stop it and get their own foothold in the region before it gels into some new reality.

What you are seeing in US embassies all over the Middle East now is an attempt to frustrate successful American diplomacy, to ignite anti-American sentiment, and if possible, to provoke the US into doing something that will further inflame the situation, like withold aid from friendly or neutral Islamic governments, a disengagement from the region, a hasty and ill-considered military strike, saber rattling, bullying, or lavish and public concessions to the Israelis.

The attack and riots were certainly timed to take advantage of the 9/11 anniversary, but I don’t think it is unreasonable to assume it is also a calculated attempt to influence the US elections; to encourage a US policy of tough guy cowboy diplomacy that will play right into the Jihadist
narrative.

As long as we are cultivating friends and forming diplomatic, economic and military relationships with Muslim peoples and governments (and raining down drones on terrorist hideouts), they are losing. They know this, they will strike back, and we will take casualties. But we are winning.