By host Tom Ashbrook:

The headlines are almost surreal: “Deadly cartoon riot near US base,” says CNN.com. But the news itself is not funny. Afghan police fired into a mob of protesters trying to storm a US military base today, in fury over cartoon caricatures of the prophet Muhammed published in a Danish newspaper.

There have been riots and death and burning embassies across the Muslim world. The Danish paper says it was standing up for free speech. Angry Muslims say it’s blasphemy.

Cool heads call for calm, but with US troops patrolling by mosques and extremists eager for a showdown, there is a dangerous whiff of religious war in the air.

Hear about the deadly and serious culture clash over published cartoons of prophet Muhammed.

Guests:

David Rennie, European correspondent, The Daily Telegraph

Rami Khouri, syndicated columnist and editor-at-large, The Daily Star in Lebanon

Adil Najam, Professor of International Negotiation and Diplomacy, The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Irshad Manji, author of “The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith.” She is currently visiting fellow in the International Security Studies program at Yale University.

Faisal Bodi, news editor, Islam Channel, an English-language television channel focused on Islamic issues