John - a couple clarifications.
Good and accurate post, but if I may, a couple points
of clarifications.
"Islamists" are both Sunni and Shia. That is, there
are Islamic fundamentalist groups within
each sect. And, as
a general matter, the Sunni Islamists and Shia Islamists
despise each other. (In both Pakistan and Afghanistan
the Sunni's have been trying to destroy the minority Shia
communities, for example).
Al-Q is Sunni, based off the Saudi Wahabbi tradition (a
radical Sunni fundamentalist interpretration of Islam).
Therefore, Al-Q hates Shias and considers them infidels.
The Taliban are also Sunni, heavily influenced by Al-Q.
Iran is Shia. So Iran hated the Taliban. And similarly,
Iran has little reason to help Al-Q, given
it is Sunni. (Though they might over the short term,
just to tactically stick it to the U.S.).
Saddam is a nominal Sunni. But, as you say, his party is
secular and Saddam probably believes in Islam as much
as you do. But he has increasingly adopted the religious
mantle over the years, for the obvious reasons.
The biggest internal opposition to Saddam come from
the Shia Islamists, supported by Iran. Al-Q also
hates Saddam, because he is secular.
Of course, that doesn't prevent Al-Q and Saddam from
working together to attack the U.S, under the
rule that "The enemy of my
enemy is my friend".
A fun place, the Middle East. |
