The report concludes "the ideology of jihadi movements must be countered to undermine the threat. Its combination of theology and political objectives needs to be uprooted through rigorous scrutiny, and sustained intellectual confrontation. After the 9/11 attacks, Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda had approximately 300 militants. ISIS alone now has, at a low estimate, 31,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq. Understanding how ideology has driven this phenomenon is essential to containing and defeating violent extremism."

Religious leaders, according to the report "should: •  Work to disrupt the influence of religious literalism, by promoting the application of interpretations such as maqasid al-shariah (principles of Sharia) that allow for alternative forms of government to the caliphate. • Work to disrupt the promotion of a utopian Islamic State from political Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat-e-Islami. • Support and promote models of government in Muslim majority countries that work against extremism, such as the developing democracy in Tunisia."

Cornelis Hulsman:There needs to be a sustained intellectual confrontation but ...nice to give Muslim religious leaders such advice but was this discussed with Muslim religious leaders?