The terrorist attack on a satirical magazine in Paris is one of many incidents in which radical Islamists lash out at their Western critics, while moderate Muslims effectively endorse the violence by complaining that their religion is being libeled, a terrorism expert told
Newsmax TV on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately, I feel like it's Groundhog Day," Steve Emerson, executive director at the Investigative Project on Terrorism, told "MidPoint" host Ed Berliner. "Every single time this happens, there are several things that are said that have been said over and over again."
Story continues below video.
Note: Watch Newsmax TV now on DIRECTV Ch. 349 and DISH Ch. 223
Get Newsmax TV on your cable system – Click Here Now
"One, we're saying it's the new rise of radical Islam. No, it isn't; it's been around for 30 years," said Emerson. "Two, that Islam means peace, [and that] these people have nothing to do with Islam. No, I'm sorry, Islam means a lot of things, and to these people it's Islamic extremism, and there's a lot of support for it in the Islamic community.
"And unfortunately, but realistically, it has to be said — and unless that's said and acted upon — we're going to see attacks like this occur over and over and over again," said Emerson.
"The third thing is, the apologia by Western leaders in terms of exonerating radical Islamists living in the West — those belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood who say they condemn such attacks but then issue statements saying that there's a war against Islam and anybody who uses the term 'radical Islam' is a racist," he said.
"They're the ones who are inciting such attacks and, ironically and tragically, they're the ones being invited into the White House or to DHS or to the Department of Justice or the State Department," said Emerson. "So, we're legitimizing the very same people spreading the message that are carrying out these attacks. How's that for an irony?"
Emerson said the attack on the Paris offices of the publication Charlie Hebdo again raises a question that has been recurring since 9/11: Where are the Islamic moderates, and why are they not speaking out against terrorist acts committed in the name of Allah?
"There are two possibilities," he said. "Either they're afraid or they don't exist, right? So, let's assume the most optimistic scenario — that they're afraid. And I prefer to believe that — that the vast majority don't support this [violence].
"On the other hand, the reality is that the intimidation factor is such that they've been able to be swayed into silence and submitted to silence, intimidated, [and] not just the Muslim community but the West itself in terms of not saying anything," said Emerson.
He cited the example of Jyllands-Posten, the Danish newspaper that touched off a firestorm of protest in 2005 by publishing a
series of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
Almost no newspapers republished the cartoons to demonstrate solidarity with the Danish outlet and stand up for freedom of speech, said Emerson.
"Why? Because they were intimidated." he said, adding, "Why wouldn't Muslims be intimidated if they see the West cowering?"
"There's a double standard here," said Emerson, "and that double standard, unfortunately, is encouraging other attacks."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.