ISIL is a global threat but it is a bigger threat to the Middle East than to U.S. homeland. It is a bigger threat to Muslims than to
Americans because, until now, the absolute majority of victims are Muslims. The
U.S. could be part of a coalition that should combat ISIL but it should not
take the lead. Saudi Arabia should take the lead in fighting ISIL because Saudi
Arabia helped create it in the first place. The ideology and practices of ISIL are
derived from the brand of a religious tradition called Salafi Wahhabism that
was founded in Saudi Arabia and promoted by Saudi preachers under the patronage
of the Saudi ruling family. Therefore, the fight against ISIL is Saudi Arabia’s
and the rulers of Saudi Arabia must be forced to take the lead in this war.
![]() |
The link: Like ISIL, Saudi Arabia sanctions public beheading |
If the U.S. military bombs ISIL in Syria without the consent of the government there and provide more
political and military support to armed opposition groups in that country, it
will foster the idea that the U.S. is taking side in a sectarian, ethnic, and
regional war. Bypassing the Syrian government to fight ISIL will create more
ISILs.
This war cannot be just a war on ISIL, it must be a war on
all ISILs, in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and wherever they exist. In other words, this war ought to be a war on
genocidal ideologies like ISIL’s, Nusra’s, and many other armed groups in Syria.
ISIL, like al-Qaeda before it, is a Saudi freaky invention and the Saudi rulers
must be held responsible for combating it now. The Saudis should form an alliance
with Qatar, Turkey, and takfiri preachers whom the rulers of the kingdom
allowed to proselytize on satellite televisions to uproot it militarily and ideologically.
The rest of the world should only offer assistance—not lead.
____________
* Prof. SOUAIAIA teaches at the University of Iowa. His
most recent book, Anatomy of Dissent in Islamic Societies, provides a historical and theoretical
treatment of rebellious movements and ideas since the rise of Islam. Opinions
are the author’s, speaking on matters of public interest; not speaking for the
university or any other organization with which he is affiliated.
No comments:
Write commentsShare your thoughts...