Victory Squandered 400 Years Later?

(Image by Bob Gorrell)

Today is the 444th anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto, a crucial sea battle fought between the naval forces of Christendom and the Ottoman Empire.

This last major battle between galleys was a decisive defeat for the Ottomans.

So was the Battle of Vienna fought between 11-12 September, 1683.  The Islamic high water mark was on the 11th, which puts the September 11 Attacks into a larger historical continuum.

Our jihadist enemies believe that once an area comes under Muslim control, no matter how temporary, it is still considered part of the Islamic Ummah.  The infidels currently occupying these "lost lands" are merely squatters that should be evicted.

This concept and the key historical dates behind it are ignored by leftists (not to mention the true, ideological nature of the threat itself), and even disregarded by some conservatives.

While the Battle of Lepanto saved Europe, the question is, does Western Civilization have the will to resist today's Islamist horde? 

Especially since we already have jihadist enemies, or at least sympathizers, already inside the Ramparts of Civilization, coupled with a leader more concerned about political rivals than real enemies...

(Image by Glenn Foden)