This war on jihad terror gets stranger by the day. Many leftist purveyors of “Islamophobia” propaganda are resistant to the very word “jihad” and the reality that normative Islam is jihadist at the core and is very much driven by Islamic texts. Yet now CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, of all people, has written about “jihadist terrorism” in claiming that Trump “was played” by Saudi Arabia:
But most important, it will do nothing to address the direct and ongoing threat to Americans — jihadist terrorism. I thought that Trump’s foreign policy was going to put America first, not Saudi Arabia.
So now CNN is actually supporting Trump’s “America first” and anti-“jihadist terrorism” initiatives? Hardly. The CNN alarm about Saudi Arabia has everything to do with being anti-Trump and little to do with authentic attempts to combat the global jihad.
The virulently anti-Trump Washington Post sang a similar tune:
President Trump’s journey to the Middle East illustrated yet again how the country central to the spread of this terrorism, Saudi Arabia, has managed to evade and deflect any responsibility for it.
The Daily Beast made fun of Trump “finally” getting treated “like a king” in a country where:
journalists are legally forbidden from writing anything “leading to disorder and division,” and witchcraft is punishable by death.
Many behaviors are punishable by death in Saudi Arabia: beheadings and stonings are still regularly taking place, in accordance with the Sharia.
The UK’s Independent also embarrassed Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who commended the “good mood surrounding President’s trip to Kingdom” before going on to praise the lack of any demonstrations in Saudi Arabia during Trump’s visit, highlighting his obliviousness to the fact that in Saudi Arabia, protests are punishable by death.
Far-left Senator Cory Booker joined in the Trump-bashing, attacking the President for “not talking about the real human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia.” He stated:
it’s almost like reducing America from the light and hope in the world to just a utilitarian kind of transactional relationship.
Now the Independent is pushing advocacy in the case of one human rights protester:
Munir’s case is utterly shocking – the White House should be appalled that our Saudi allies tortured a disabled protester until he lost his hearing then sentenced him to death on the basis of a forced ‘confession’,” said Maya Foa, the director of Reprieve, a legal justice charity.
The criticism of Trump for not confronting Saudi Arabia for its human rights abuses and export of the jihad ideology is not without merit. Indeed, advocacy for human rights is great, but this anti-Trump blitz over Saudi Arabia exposes the hypocrisy of the left. The one thing that leftist authorities and media have been consistent about is their profound detestation of President Trump. This hatred has now led them to declare precipitously that he was easy on Saudi Arabia (which is governed by and espouses normative Islam), a human rights violating country that exports the Wahhabi ideology and jihad while hiding behind a respectable facade. On this, the left and foes of jihad can agree. Counter-jihadists have been warning about the jihad ideology and Saudi Arabia for years, while being bashed by those same leftists for being racist and “Islamophobic.”
Saudi Arabia’s appearance and method of operation is quite different from that of the Islamic State, but both are Sharia “states”; both implement Islamic texts that call for human rights violations; both are spreading dawah globally and share the goal of global Islamic conquest.
There is an upside to this leftist attack on Trump over Saudi Arabia: while leftist politicians and media routinely dismiss the role of normative Islam in human rights abuses, they have now declared it in their frenzied opposition to Trump, even though these same voices of condemnation of “jihad” and Saudi Arabia will quickly be forgotten when events require a revival of the “Islamophobia” theme. In much the same way, leftists forget the victims of human rights abuses when those abuses are committed by Muslims in the name of their religion.
Perhaps if Trump ended his attempts to implement his so-called “Muslim ban” to try to keep out jihadist “evil losers,” the leftist media might attack Trump for reneging on his promises and start pushing for the ban.
Here is one case of Saudi human rights abuses over which the left is attacking Trump:
“Saudi Arabia to behead disabled man ‘for taking part in protests’ after ‘forced confession'”, by Will Worley, Independent, May 27, 2017:
A court in Saudi Arabia has upheld a death sentence for a disabled man who was arrested after he attended a protest, campaigners have said.
Munir al-Adam, 23, was beaten so badly he lost hearing in one ear during demonstrations in the Shia dominated east of the country in 2012.
Human rights campaigners have slammed the decision, calling it “shocking” and demanding the White House intervenes [sic]….
“Munir’s case is utterly shocking – the White House should be appalled that our Saudi allies tortured a disabled protester until he lost his hearing then sentenced him to death on the basis of a forced ‘confession’,” said Maya Foa, the director of Reprieve, a legal justice charity….
The decision comes after a recent visit by President Trump to the Gulf state, which is one of the world’s most prolific executioners and notorious for its human rights abuses. Previous administrations have raised the issue of rights with Saudi leaders, but campaigners believe Mr Trump’s failure to do so may have emboldened the state to proceed with controversial decisions.
Ms Foa said: “Today’s judgment shows that, by failing to raise human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, President Trump has emboldened the Kingdom to continue the torture and execution of protesters.
“The Trump administration must now urgently stand up for American values. They must call for the release of Munir, and all others who face execution for simply exercising freedom of expression.”
After Mr Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Wilbur Ross, the US treasury secretary, said there was “not a single hint of a protester” in the country. The remark which was widely condemned because of Saudi Arabia’s severe restrictions on freedom of expression.
Steve Klein says
General Mattis, Rex Tillerson, Gen. McMaster all likely persuaded Trump to visit the world’s preeminent state sponsor of international terrorism and the biggest exporter of jihad ideology globally. Big mistake listing to these three — I don’t what to say what I am thinking of characterizing them. ):
Steve Klein says
It begins with an “L”.
Melvin says
Cmon right wing rightards.
Its your turn now, and you still blame Obama for sucking up to thw saudis.
I thought its all about making America great again?
Whataboutism doesnt work and isnt an argument you inbred cretins.
Gordon Miller says
Steve, I’m with you on that one. All three seem to be benighted with respect to Islam and Muslims.
Guest says
I keep saying we should cut all ties to Saudi Arabia. They may need, but we don’t need them. How does it look, the country that is supposed to be the ‘land of the free’ does business and therefore supports slavery and discrimination of another country
Monty says
And to China, and all the other nations where tyranny and oppression rule. Germany, France, the UK come to mind. Where do you stop? OK, so I’d rather live in the UK than Saudi Arabia, but for how much longer? I live in Australia and I have zero intention of going back to live in the UK. I have residents rights here and I will most likely be buried here. The UK is a land of great beauty but Islam is like the suffocating smog that used to blanket London decades ago. No thanks.
gravenimage says
Agreed, Guest. The model was cutting off diplomatic relations with Iran, as we did for decades. The Muslim world should be as isolated as possible.
LR says
Boy, I hate those bastards in Saudi Arabia….Would love to see the Jihadi sympathizers on their knees, and the ones suffering for free speech in the jails go free…
Monty says
What trumped up (sorry, could not resist that even though it is lame) outrage. Saudi Arabia was exactly the same before Mr Trump’s visit and will be exactly the same for the foreseeable future. It’s Islam, unchanging as the desert sand and just as barren. Mr Trump could have raised human rights issues. Pointless. Human Rights is no longer of any interest. Muslims control the UNHCR. That’s like putting Nazis in charge of of Jewish welfare. The world picked on South Africa and bullied them into abandoning apartheid. The world created a failed state in the process. SA has an horrific crime rate, but hey, we sure showed them. Now we are subjecting ourselves to the apartheid of Islam, we being the victims this time around. Self inflicted wounds can be exceedingly painful.
JawsV says
Christine,
Last week I read an article on the ultra-liberal WP by Fareed Zakaria. He actually said that “Jihad Terrorism” is the biggest threat facing America! I was shocked! Denying Jihad is the leftists’ crucial job! But, there it was: “Jihad Terrorism.”
I looked up Zakaria. He’s a Muslim. His father was a polygamist. He’s the product of the father’s second wife.
gravenimage says
Fared Zakaria is a nasty Taqiyya artist. He has also said, “don’t overreact to Terrorism”.
gravenimage says
Left discovers jihad, blames Trump for emboldening “jihadist” Saudi Arabia
……………………..
Strange indeed. The Left never had any trouble with Jihad until Trump went to Saudi Arabia, which was indeed foolish on his part.
I really wish that this were a sign that the Left was really opposing Jihad; I think it has more to do with twitting Trump, though. After all, they had no trouble with Obama going there and bowing to the thuggish “king”.
simpleton1 says
It all remains to be seen, and there are 4 more years.
Trump has listened to them, but one thing that will fire him up, will be when he becomes aware of them acting and saying things opposite to what they told him and where they agreed.
He is a guy who will let out enough rope, for the muslims to hang themselves.
It will be with his first hand experience, that will jolt him. He will be able to play that for big effect.
Ok just how long will it be, how much rope will he allow to lead out, and will he ever become aware of when he is being shorted.
Bismarck “Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable – the art of the next best.”.
The other main aim, is to get more of his own countryman on side with him about the islamic issue.
The more public support he gets in the States, will put pressure on Congressmen and Senators, etc., then much more becomes possible.
A bit of time allows that rope to weave, and interweave, and become stronger around that body of islam.
Then that rope will snap tight.
The rest of us must be gently and firmly telling of Mohammad’s sayings, deeds, and exploits, that muslims follow and take all his advice for living.
Dave Flang says
The media is being crushed by Trump’s vice and is trying to save face. More and more is leaking out about Seth Rich’s assignation and the media has gotten out their brooms and rugs big time.
Tulip says
What is President Trump doing in the picture, bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia for a gold chain? Has he gone mad?
David says
Technically speaking he didn’t “bow,” but rather curtsied like a stage actor.
Georg says
Fareed Zakaria is a terminally confused troll whose priority is himself, closely followed by a hatred for the West/white folks only constrained enough via white knuckles. He is always at such pains to balance getting on T.V. with so terribly offending those he depends upon to watch him that his eyes don’t even point in same direction. Imagine him on primetime when the country respected itself; neither can I.
dragaozao says
If anyone want of fight jihadism and succeed… well, all you have to do is make Trump defend jihad. Easy, isn’t it?
mortimer says
Thanks for an informative article, Christine, but REALLY… don’t you think this is a GOOD THING that they are admitting to the existence of JIHADIST TERRORISM??
That in itself is a breakthrough to be celebrated!
David says
Didn’t that descendant of a Mughal bandit, Fareed Zakaria, praise Trump for bombing Syria, a while ago?
Brian Hoff says
trump is bowing to the Saudi king. You far rightwinger went nuts over last president bow to the Saudi king.
gravenimage says
Actually, he is just lowering his head so that the Saudi doesn’t have to get on a step ladder to hang that medal around his neck.
But of course the vile “Brian Hoff”–really, “DefenderofIslam”–wants to see American presidents bowing to his repulsive coreligionists.
Brian Hoff says
When our first black president bow to the Saudi king you far right winger went crazy over it now your rightwing president did the samethinh.
SoliDeoGloria says
I’ve been pro-Trump but his visit to the Saudis and the business deals entered into do not impress me.
Also, the US embassy is still Tel Aviv…
His venom spouted towards the Clinton woman over her cosying-up to the Saudis (and rightly so), including the $$ that changed hands, is matter of public record.
American jobs in the arms industries? Yes, but the high price!! Did he really have to sell his soul to the master-minders of barbaric islamic terrrorism?
Very disappointed by the about-face.
Susette says
US POS’s first foreign trip is to visit the theocrats in Saudi Arabia, bow/curtsy to them, sway around a glowing orb with them and attend an ALL-MALE country-singing concert. I can only imagine what all you right wingers would have said if President Obama did that.
Trump was pissed Michelle Obama didn’t wear a veil, so why didn’t Melania and Ivanka? Are your so-called “libtards” outraged by their veilessness? No, liberals see that as a non-issue and instead see that US POS is playing right into the hands of these Saudi Arabian monsters. And all it cost them was a little flattery for the narcissist-in-chief.