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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JohnM who wrote (39463)	8/22/2002 1:21:13 PM
From: Rascal	Respond to of 281500

Thank you for your time and information

To: JohnM who wrote (39463)	8/22/2002 1:35:30 PM
From: Sea Otter	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

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.