Stand up to extremists

OVER recent years there is a perception that the West should fear the extremists, that our democracies could not stand up to their ire and that we should avoid upsetting them, be they religious or political.

This is for fear they will wreak a terrible vengeance on us if provoked.

The truth is that western democracies do not relish the thought of confrontation, but neither will they allow religious or political extremists to impose their will on others.