"Now, More Than Ever, We Have to Be Strong and We Have to Be Strategic."

Tony Blair is a courageous man.  

How else do you describe someone willing to confront the problem within Islam?

Mr Blair, the former prime minister, used a column in the Mail on Sunday to call on the Government to “be honest” and admit that there is a widespread problem with the religion.

In a major intervention following the murder of soldier Lee Rigby, Mr Blair said "the seeds of future fanaticism and terror" were being sown and that children in the UK and abroad must be educated about the place of religion in society.

Mr Blair said: "There is not a problem with Muslims in general. Most in Britain will be horrified at Lee Rigby's murder.

"But there is a problem within Islam - from the adherents of an ideology that is a strain within Islam. And we have to put it on the table and be honest about it."

He said "at the extreme end of the spectrum are terrorists" but "by and large we don't admit it".

Mr Blair added: “The seeds of future fanaticism and terror, possibly even major conflict, are being sown. We have to help sow seeds of reconciliation and peace. But clearing the ground for peace is not always peaceful."

...

Mr Blair said: "We resisted revolutionary communism by being resolute on security; but we defeated it by a better idea: Freedom.

"We can do the same with this. The better idea is a modern view of religion and its place in society and politics. There has to be respect and equality between people of different faiths. Religion must have a voice in the political system but not govern it.

"We have to start with how to educate children about faith, here and abroad," he said.

Mr Blair added: "Now, more than ever, we have to be strong and we have to be strategic."

Compare and contrast Mr. Blair's words with pretty much anything coming from the Obama administration on this issue.

Stark differences.

Necessary differences.

Might more of the West's leaders exhibit the kind of courage put on display by the former prime minister.  Particularly here in the United States.

The sooner the better.