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> Isn't ISIS supported by the Saudis to overthrow the Shiite government of Iraq? I think it's fair to say that "the Saudis" isn't exactly a monolith in this re
by mseebach 10y ago
> Isn't ISIS supported by the Saudis to overthrow the Shiite government of Iraq?
I think it's fair to say that "the Saudis" isn't exactly a monolith in this regard. There's an uneasy alliance between the Wahabi clerisy (who in turn keep the people relatively content) and the house of Saud, who again aren't exactly monolithic, but some of whom have something that at times could be said to approach a reasonably liberal worldview (they, for sure, aren't devout Wahabis).
It would not be terribly surprising if some of the more Wahabi-aligned elements are involved in channeling funds and different kinds of support to ISIS (and the Taleban and Al Qaida, for that matter) while the other end knows that if ISIS gets free reign in Saudi Arabia, the foundation under their government can crumble very quickly.
- tboyd47 10y agoWhat do you base this on? The Wahhabi scholars are conservative but very active in refuting terrorism. In fact the first book I ever came across as a new Muslim detailing the Islamic position against terrorism was written by Grand Mufti Abdul-Aziz Aal-ush-Shaykh. Videos can be found online of Saleh Fawzan calling ISIS the "party of Satan."
- mseebach 10y agoI didn't say "Wahhabi scholars", I said "some of the more Wahabi-aligned elements". Saudi Arabia has frustrated American policy makers for years. Ostensibly a critical ally, sheltered from its enemies by American arms and aid, the kingdom has spent untold millions promoting Wahhabism, the radical form of Sunni Islam that inspired the 9/11 hijackers and that now inflames the Islamic State. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/28/opinion/the-world-reaps-what-the-saudis-sow.html https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/28/opinion/the-world-reaps-w...
- tboyd47 10y agoThat's more of an op-ed piece than a proper news report. Even the author admits that no evidence has been found of Wahhabi organizations funding ISIS recruiting.
- tobltobs 10y agoThen it is only coincidence that most european islamic terrorist have been radicalized by Imams which are supported by some Wahhabi organisation?
- Cyph0n 10y agoContrary to popular belief, the mainstream Saudi view - Wahhabi or otherwise - is that ISIS is bad and needs to be eradicated. As with anything else, there are fringe elements that don't follow this idea, and the government is trying to deal with that.
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- rimantas 10y agoWe are not talking about mainstream, we are talking abou those financing hate preaching in European mosques.
- Cyph0n 10y agoLike I mentioned, those are the fringe elements, and do not represent the country's stance. I'm not sure how much Saudi is doing to crackdown on such funding however.
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- tboyd47 10y agoIt doesn't have to be a coincidence. The Saudi education system was infiltrated by the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1980s. If what you say is true then that may be a partial explanation. The Saudi ruling elite / religious scholars are pretty constant in disapproving of terrorism. I'm just trying to make the point that things aren't always as simple as people make them out to be.