To the editor:
In "What Price to Keep France Safe? Perhaps a Nation’s Core Values, Many Fear," Adam Nosier refers to "at least three different security-state models for France have been debated in the media over the last three weeks: Israel, the United States and Algeria."
It reminds me of the Sesame Street question: which of these is not like the others?
I live in both America and Israel. Both are nothing like my understanding of Algeria and, although I really have no idea of what Nosier means by "security state," the term sounds nothing like either the United States or Israel, the freest and most vigorous democracies in the world.
Israel is, of course, the frontline state in the free world's battle with radical Islamist terrorists. France, like other countries, is now paying a deadly price for betraying core values while making the mistake of appeasing terrorists rather than standing with Israel. It has a lot to learn from Israel about defending itself against terrorists without compromising either democracy or moral values.
Sincerely,
Alan Stein