AP is running an article about the contributions mathematicians are making to the war on terror. Once again, brain and brawn work together in harmony in the US Military. Our fighting forces are the best in the world for many reasons, including the degree to which we have been able to integrate science and technology into our ware—making.

Warfare has always been dependent on technology — Damascus steel swords were a huge advantage to the first Islamic jihadi, who spread that faith by the sword across much of the Eastern Hemisphere — from Indonesia to the Western Sahara.

Inquiring minds want to know all kinds of things. Including things useful to war. The tragedy of modern Islam is the degree to which free inquiry has been stifled in so many Islamic societies.

Hat tip: Jim N

Thomas Lifson   10 11 04