The Siege of Mecca and the Origins of Al-Qaedabr The Foundation for Defense of Democracies - Bridge Marriottbr Radical Islam has declared itself at war with the West as well as with moderate Muslims. The enemy is well organized, well funded, and grounded in the authority of religious texts. The United States therefore has a particularly difficult battle to fight. It is engaged with an enemy who cares first and foremost about the ideological battle -- rebuilding a distinct Muslim identity, strengthening the ummah, and defeating the West, both materially and spiritually. Without directly confronting the ideology driving such groups as Al Qaeda, the United States will never be able to defeat the threat of terrorism. Drawing on the expertise of those who were directly involved in the fight against past totalitarian ideologies and of those who are intimately familiar with the ideology and strategy of the current enemy, this conference will draw lessons from the past for today's fight against Al Qaeda and associated movements.br br Speakersbr br Dr. Sebastian L. Gorkabr Military Affairs Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democraciesbr Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Public Policy Institutebr br Thomas Joscelynbr Senior Editor, Long War Journalbr Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democraciesbr br Dr. John Lenczowskibr President, Institute of World Politicsbr Former Director of European and Soviet Affairs, National Security Councilbr br Prof. John Moorebr President Emeritus, Grove City Collegebr Former Deputy Director, National Science Foundationbr br Robert R.