Balderdash is a bit harsh

Submitted by sara (United States), Jan 18, 2013 at 20:09

Robert,

I happen to agree with everything you noted about the Saudis, though I would add the Muslim Brotherhood union with them in the 40's to the formula. The efforts of the Saudis to export fanatic Wahabbism is certainly a key element in the evolution of political Islam as we know it today. However, it does not preclude the Russian influences that I mentioned. Russia and the US played a dangerous chess game that influenced the evolution of political Islam, namely with their tit for tat activities in Afghanistan. I do not dispute the notion that Wahabbism coupled with the Salafi MB guys have been instrumental in igniting the anti-western and supremism of Islamism.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".