Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West

by Raymond Ibrahim

Because “that law” commands Muslims to take the offensive against infidels whenever a favorable opportunity presents itself—including by breaking peace treaties*—when war between the United States and Britain broke out again in 1812, Barbary saw its chance and again began to raid American ships and enslave their crews. When peace with Britain was achieved in 1815, the United States decided to put an end to Barbary predations once and for all: what had become by now a massive navy (compared to Jefferson’s original six vessels of 1801) was deployed to and made quick work of the Barbary Coast. This time the peace treaty was dictated by the United States: Algiers had to release all Americans, make no more claims for tribute, and even pay $10,000 in indemnities for ships and other stolen property. Tunis had to pay $60,000 and Tripoli $30,000 for the ships and properties they had stolen. Thus the United States’ first war—which erupted before it could even elect its first president and intermittently lasted some thirty-two years—was against Islam; and the latter had initiated hostilities on the same rationale that had been used to initiate hostilities for the preceding 1,200 years.