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'War on Terror' Phrase Fading Under Obama

Phrase on the skids as prez hopes to rewrite US-Muslim relations

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 31, 2009 6:56 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama is rephrasing the "war on terror," the AP reports. As campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan continue—as do broader US efforts to hunt down extremists—Obama is apparently letting the Bush catchphrase go out of style. The new president instead invokes “ongoing struggle” and “twilight struggle” as he seeks to repair relations with the Muslim world.

Outside the US, many consider the “war on terror” phrase "anti-Islam and anti-Arab,” one analyst said; instead, Obama should focus his ire on militant groups reviled equally in the Arab world. The White House insists there’s no ban on the phrase, but one expert sees a change: "One of the contrasts between the two administrations is the care with which Obama uses language," he said. "He thinks about the subtle implications."

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

In an image made from a video provided by Al-Arabiya, President Barack Obama is interviewed in Washington by Dubai-based Al-Arabiya cable network Monday Jan. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Al-Arabiya)

Since taking office, President Barack Obama has talked broadly of the "enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism." Another time it was an "ongoing struggle." (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Barack Obama chose an Arab network for his first televised interview, declaring to Muslims and Arabs that "Americans are not your enemy." (Shutter Stock)

Since taking office, President Barack Obama has talked broadly of the "enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism." Another time it was an "ongoing struggle." (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama speaks with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Barack Obama speaks on the US economy from the East Room of the White House January 28, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

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In choosing a television network based in Dubai for his first interview as president, Barack Obama said he wants a new relationship with the Muslim world based on mutual respect and interests. (VOAvideo)

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One of the contrasts between the two administrations is the care with which Obama uses language. He thinks about the subtle implications. - Wayne Fields, professor of English and American culture studies, Washington University

All of this is part of an attempt to see how they could at least frame a change in policy even if, at the end of the day, the actual war on terrorism doesn't change all that much. - Juan Zarate, former Bush administration official

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'War on Terror' Phrase Fading Under Obama