Western imperialism, financed, supported and used some of them. Stalinism repressed them. They were, and still have been, part of the geo-political chess board.
"How the USSR’s effort to destroy Islam created a generation of radicals"
Sleeping With the Devil: How U.S. and Saudi Backing of Al Qaeda Led to 9/11
"CIA roots of Islamic fundamentalism"
I don't agree with the title though and everything in the analysis, but there is a good background.
Comments