The success of Islamic extremists in Iraq is due to the failure of modern Islam to reconcile its deepest beliefs with the principle of religious freedom.

Perhaps the most important remark in President Obama’s speech in Poland this week, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of its democratic revolution, was the least noticed by commentators. “The victory of 1989,” Mr. Obama said, “was not inevitable.”

WATCH: Dr. Loconte spoke about Ronald Reagan and American Exceptionalism at Regent University’s Ronald Reagan Symposium on February 7, 2014.

Religious freedom is one of the most important developments in history. How we handle this issue, more than any other, is the key to success or failure for modern social orders.

Watch the clip from “Real News” with Dr. Loconte and TheBlaze TV team.

Was there ever a more compelling writer than Loconte, who teaches history here in NYC? In “The Searchers,” he takes the familiar Road to Emmaus story and opens it up in fascinating ways.