Robert W. Merry is political editor of The National Interest and the author of books on American history and foreign policy. His most recent book is Where They Stand: The American Presidents in the Eyes of Voters and Historians.
He got a lot right, but misses the conclusions and directions.
Takes 5 minutes, and thought provoking ...but....
Brilliant article and STILL wrong. Just as the Khawarij came out of the 7th century as takfiri, there is nothing which would have prevented this outbreak of BOTH Shia supremacy (1979) and Salafi supremacy (Soviet Afghanistan) expressed at its outset by Sayd Qutb after visiting the USA. The fact is that the ascendant form of Islam IS a religious/political civilizational level aggression. Period (as a recent prez said). This is not the first rodeo.
An invasion of Iraq, and an attempt to “jeffersonize’ by tribe or local political unit an Afghanistan are BLIPS against this movement such as this. Nothing would have stopped EITHER what happened in Iran OR the children of the Muslim Brotherhood
Worse still, to a people whose day to day life includes the iron hard knowledge that their personal responsibility before god is to get rid of us (those who make up laws out of their own heads, and are therefore sovereign instead of God), and that to act in that faith guarantees forever in paradise with 6 dozen Victoria Secret ladies, no ‘warnings of horrendous retaliation for any attacks on America’ would have meant ANYTHING.
THAT is the problem. The ascendant form of Islam does not respond to political instruments WE recognize in this way. Not agreements (Hudabiyah), not war (Trench), not humanity (Khaibar). We cannot bargain with them as if they were some kind of religious George Meany.
These people are not Islam, but they are the form of Islam that matters during our lifetime.
Why do you think we haven’t seen a 100,000 Americans who happen to be Muslims out in the street telling these freaks to go to hell?
Why do you think we haven’t seen a 100,000 Americans who happen to be Muslims out in the street telling these freaks to go to hell?
3 comments:
they are the form of Islam that matters during our lifetime
Well said!
I still believe that Islam has inherent problems, but certainly stated that the form of Islam is what matters is spot on.
I disagree with the statement that "they are not Islam." Having read many books on the subject, I feel quite confident in saying that the terrorists ARE Islam, as formulated and preached by Muhammad. Mo declared "war on all mankind" at the 2nd Pledge of Aquaba, and the current manifestation of that evil are merely following the express commandments of their "prophet."
I can understand, but if you look at what is actually practiced, there is a big difference in the practical application of Islam between say .. Naqshbandi sufis, Hojatieh, Salafis takfiri's, and Americans who happen to be Muslims who came here to (as 2 surgeons who do not know each other told me) "escape the madness". I am sure we have plenty who are radical, but there are PLENTY who would fail the definition of 'muslim' as you see it, and as the salafi/hojatieh freaks see it
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