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The Middle East’s Political Roller Coaster and the Rise of Political Islam
The Historical Shift in the Middle East
The political landscape of the Middle East has drastically transformed over the last few decades. The region’s abundant oil reserves propelled countries forward at breakneck speed, but their outdated governance structures seem poised for a catastrophic derailment. Historically, governments worldwide were more adept at identifying and combating the deceptive allure of communism, contributing to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, they failed to foresee the rise of new movements in the Middle East.
The Emergence of Islamic Movements in the 1970s
The 1970s marked a critical turning point, as Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern countries witnessed the rise of Islamic movements. These movements promised an idyllic Islamic society, attracting support not only from local communities but also from many Western governments eager to counter Soviet influence. This came despite the dark history of political Islamists and their atrocities.
Western Oversight and Regional Instability
One might wonder why Western governments overlooked the rise of these movements, which eventually contributed to the destabilization of the region. Religion, unlike communism, held a certain allure for Western politicians, seen as benign or divinely guided. This perception led to policies that ultimately fostered the conditions for political instability and authoritarian regimes to take hold in the Middle East.
