At the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, students spend time pondering the psychology, ideology, and rationalization of terrorist groups. Commander Aboul-Enein has been a welcome addition to the faculty, bringing a nuanced understanding on the narratives of Militant Islamists, Islamist political groups, and disaggregating those two from Islam. He has also introduced students to the nuances and differences inherent in 1.57 billion adherents of Islam. This essay reflects the level of discussion and debate Commander Aboul-Enein brings to the classroom, arming our future military leaders and diplomats with a more comprehensive understanding of the region, the religion, and the culture. Students begin to appreciate that when a group calls for the establishment of an Islamic state or social order, the next question is whose interpretation of Islam will be imposed upon other Muslims. I look forward to the debate and discussion that this thought piece will generate.
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