Different view points about "Jihad"

It is very important to know that how different nations view "Jihad". Some of the negative actions taken by extremists have allowed non believers to make false statements against different noble practices of Islam and this is how American Government has defined Jihad.
"Jihad is the arabic word for holy war. In this context, Jihad refers to the use of violence, including paramilitary action against persons, property or governments deemed to be enemies of a fundamentalist version of Islam".
Actually, this definition of Jihad does not seem to be the one that Islam has presented.
Jihad is often mistakenly described as holy war. Here is the right meaning of Jihad in Islam.
"The word Jihad is an arabic word and it means "strive". Other synonyms include effort, labor and fatigue. Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option and as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by sword" as the stereotype would have one believe.