Speakers:

Philip C Bobbitt
Former US Director for Intelligence
James Astill
Terrorism Correspondent for The Economist Magazine
Sajjad Khan
Editor of New Civilisation Magazine
Dr Azzam Tamimi
Director of Institute of Islamic Political Thought

Chaired By:

Dan Plesch
Author and Broadcaster

It is almost five years since George W Bush launched his war on terror, in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. From the outset its advocates saw it as a war for freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights - a struggle between the forces of good and modernity against those who fundamentally oppose these values.

Since then Afghanistan and Iraq are still far from being delivered any real democracy or rule of law. Some argue that that human rights and freedom have become casualties of this war and that Guantanomo Bay, Abu Ghraib, control orders and the practice of extraordinary rendition are the proof for this.

Governments in the Muslim world, Russia, China and Israel have all used the war on terror as their excuse to repress opposition by force.
But the questions remain: Can you ever win a war of ideas by military force? Can the battle for hearts and minds be won if you compromise the values you espouse? Has the war on terror made people feel more secure? When and where will this war end?