Jenkins analyzes the war on terrorism, giving two views: the briefing in Washington and the briefing in West Asia. He says the fundamental difference is how America views terrorism and war and how the jihadists view it, a finite undertaking versus perpetual undertaking, respectively. He says Americans see the fight in a progress-orientation view while the jihadists see it in a process-oriented fashion.

On the Washington side, he said the most important event in the war has been the destruction of training camps in Afghanistan. On the war in Iraq, he notes that it could be seen as either a front-loaded investment or a needless distraction from the main point.

Jenkins argues Al Qaeda has fundamentally changed from a physical entity into more of a philosophy. He says they are motivated by the existence of American forces stationed within many countries of the Muslim world. He portrays Osama bin Laden and the organization in a much more objective context than his contemporary American media. He says that while their efforts have been hampered by the war on terror, he argues in many ways, they have become more efficient in communications and operations. He says they regard the war in Iraq as a gift; that it plants the battle in an environment they are in more control. He argues Iraq has become the new terrorist training grounds.