The war I see (the CORRECT one against EXTREMIST Islam) is a war in which we have to fight alongside moderate Muslims to discredit the ideology of the extremists. This war CANNOT be won by military force alone.
Here's how you win the RIGHT war, and 1,2, & 3 must be done SIMULTANEOUSLY:
(1) FINISH the job begun in Afghanistan - eradicate the Taliban, and deny Al-Qaeda sanctuary there. Capture Mullah Omar, AND OBL. (BTW, why did Bush say he wanted OBL "dead or Alive" in December 2001, and then claim in late 2002 that OBL "wasn't his priority"? And WHY is the mastermind of the deaths of 3000 + Americans still alive & at large almost SEVEN YEARS after 9/11?) Push Pakistan for action on Al-Qaeda, and make it CRYSTAL clear that if they don't move, WE WILL whether they like it or not. Reminding them just how friendly we are with India might be useful there.
(2) Put "space-race" inensity into alternative energy - BREAK ourseves from foreign oil within a decade. From where do you think Islamic terror gets its money? Petrodollars. Why do we not pressure Saudi Arabia, from which came most of the 9/11 hijackers? We need their oil. As long as that leverage exists, we WILL NOT BEAT terrorism.Getting off oil - it's not just for environmentalists anymore...
(3) Begin AGGRESSIVE diplomacy - a "hearts and minds" campaign against jihadists focused on the Islamic world. Use the carrot AND stick, instead of just the stick. Tell AND demonstrate how Moderation brings peace and prosperity, while extremism breeds death, poverty and destruction.
(4) ONCE THE JOB IN AFGHANISTAN IS DONE, use our intelligence agencies, police and the Special Forces (and regular troops where appropriate) to eradicate existing cells of committed jihadists, because these guys won't respond to anything else. You cut off extremist Islam's air, while kicking its ass; this is basic warfare, page 7.
All Bush did (and McCain wanted to continue) is (4), and that's been utterly ineffective, as the 2006 NIE showed conclusively.