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The Islamic Paradox: Shiite Clerics, Sunni Fundamentalists, and the Coming of Arab Democracy
Reuel Marc Gerecht
Since the Iranian revolution, Americans have been aware of Islamic extremism. They should have been worried about Islamic fundamentalism much earlier.
American Enterprise Institute Press
November 2004
68 pages ISBN: 0844771791 Trade Size
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Non-Fiction
Since the Iranian revolution, Americans have been aware of
Islamic extremism. They should have been worried about
Islamic fundamentalism much earlier. Decades before
Ayatollah Khomeini announced his holy war against the
United States, Muslim militants had been increasing their
numbers and honing their critique of the West, especially
America, and its nefarious cultural and political influence
throughout the Islamic world. Under the radar screen of
most academics, diplomats, and spies, bin Ladenism was
taking shape.
Since 9/11, we have seen more clearly what we did not see
before. A consensus has developed in Washington that
something is terribly awry in the Muslim Middle East. The
Bush administration, echoed by many influential Democrats,
believes that the repressive politics of the region need to
open to dissenting voices—the nexus between autocracy and
Islamic extremism must be broken. Most hope gradual
political reform will abate the anti-Americanism that is
commonplace throughout the region. Moderate Muslims need to
be nourished so they may triumph over the militants and
holy warriors. But moderate Muslims are not likely the
solution to bin Ladenism. Just the opposite: Those who have
hated the United States most—Shiite clerics and Sunni
fundamentalists—hold the keys to spreading democracy among
the faithful. They, not the much-admired Muslim
secularists, will probably liberate the Muslim Middle East
from its age-old reflexive hostility to the West.
Paradoxically, those who in their! souls have felt the
clash of civilizations most painfully will be our salvation
from future 9/11s.
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