The tendency to recognize so-called “Islamic democracies” even when the regimes in question are something else altogether did not begin today, with the “Arab Spring.” About 15 years ago, the Bill Clinton administration recognized the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. This is not paid due attention in the part of the world where I live.
For some reason, the Taliban were not considered evil. Jihadists and jihad were considered progressive forces. Leaders of many states tried to establish good relationships at the beginning of the regime, thinking that they could control Islam.
In 1996, after one of my trips to the North Caucasus, I met with the military attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Georgia. The reason for this meeting was the interview that I recorded with two representatives of the Chechen jihad. They flaunted in front of the camera U.S. military ranger clothing and accessories. When I asked where the Chechen Mujahideen obtained the ranger clothing, they said that America was helping them, and not just with ranger clothing.
I chuckled when I heard this answer, but returned to Georgia and asked for a meeting with the military attaché at the U.S. Embassy. He said that the policy of the administration was moral support for the Chechen rebels.
And after some time, Secretary of State Madeleine Allbright said that the U.S. would recognize the Taliban regime.
In my view, a similar policy continues now.
The administration of President Barack Obama (a Democratic administration in the U.S.) like the Clinton administration before it, is looking for ways to establish relationships with jihadists of all kinds. This includes the Muslim Brotherhood, the Taliban, and other organizations from which terrorists come.
Many people keep asking why this is happening, but to find an answer to this question is not easy. I will try, based on personal experience and knowledge, to give an example of why this happens.
Jihadists whom I interviewed at the time were convinced that the Clinton administration supported them. Without exception, they all hated Jews, but they separated non-Muslims into two groups: Jewish Zionists and the people who supported the Zionist state of Israel and funded it, and those infidels (non-Muslims) who were opposed to the Zionists and the State of Israel.
They controlled the oil business and other businesses in Islamic countries, and tried to sell or donate their goods to support anti-Zionists, feeding their finances.
They established links with political leaders, in order to show them that the financial well-being and stability of these states was in direct proportion to their good relations with jihadists.
Earlier on Jihad Watch, I wrote that by controlling the oil prices the Islamic countries are blackmailing the rest of the world, and it’s not only oil, but also other businesses.
The fact is that elections are always associated with high finance, and probably in the U.S. even more than elsewhere. So now is the time to consider why the Obama administration, liberals, and other politicians around the world recognize the “democratic Islamic regimes.”
Stealth jihad becomes an open war for Islamic finance.