Call Islamic Terrorism What It Is

Hillary Clinton has twisted herself into a pretzel on the subject of terrorism and its connection to Islam. Like many Democrats, she says that we must choose our words carefully to avoid scapegoating peaceful Muslims or driving them into the terrorists' arms. But the words she has chosen won't help achieve our foreign-policy goals or help peaceful Muslims -- because they make no sense.

In a Nov. 19 speech on how to combat Islamic State, Clinton argued that our rhetoric is part of our strategy: "Islam is not our adversary. Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people, and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism. The obsession in some quarters with a clash of civilization, or repeating the specific words 'radical Islamic terrorism' isn't just a distraction, it gives these criminals, these murderers more standing than they deserve. It actually plays into their hands by alienating partners we need by our side."