Professor Cole undertakes the formidable task of suggesting viable means to reduce or minimize the tensions between the Muslim world and the West. He presents some of the most pressing issues in this regard; depleting oil reserves and the environmental crisis, differences between Muslim activism and radicalism, and Islam anxiety in the West.

Cole reveals many inconsistencies in the western approach to dealing with the rise of extremism in the Muslim world. Supremacy of international law will help bridge the trust deficit and change Muslim perceptions of the West. Cultural, social and political contacts, based on mutual respect and acceptance, can contribute to eroding extremism in the Muslim world by resolving the issues that are exploited by Muslim extremists.