God's Terrorists: The Wahhabi Cult and the Hidden Roots of Modern Jihad - Charles Allen

Title: God's Terrorists: The Wahhabi Cult and the Hidden Roots of Modern Jihad

Author: Charles Allen

ISBN: 978-0-349-11879-6

Publisher: Abacus

Softcover

Pages: 349

Photos/Maps: 30/5

Wahhabism has been in existence for centuries and has been the source of radical destabilization within regions of the British Raj, India, the Ottoman Empire, the Nejd and, in more modern times, the Western world. It also maintains very deep and traditional ties with and enjoys ongoing patronage and support from one of the most longstanding allies of the West in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia. It represents perhaps the most extreme form of Islam in history and has been traditionally disavowed by moderate and mainstream Islamic schools. It has also been the subject of repeated efforts to destroy it through military action and, while it may have been diminished, it has never been eliminated.

Given that it is the foundation of the groups that represent the perceived greatest threat to the West and its tenants (Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Hindustani Fanatics etc), relatively little is known and even less understood about the motivations and religious underpinnings that drive these followers to act as they do. Allen has undertaken to not only trace the history and development of Wahhabism but to also provide the context within which the doctrine of this group has been nurtured. This is critical to the understanding of what drives the Wahhabist and the author has done a superlative job at boiling down a very complex issue into a manageable and comprehensible narrative. Most importantly, he has done this without diminishing the message or 'dumbing down' the content.

It is interesting to see how the cult of the personality figures so prominently within Wahhabism. Centred upon religious Madrassahs or schools, the students are indoctrinated from a young age, with limited external exposure and often from economically challenged backgrounds. They are vulnerable to the influences and charisma of their teachers who operate free from external oversight. Like cults anywhere, they prey upon the weak and impressionable. However, it must be stated that the roots of wahhabist discontent stem from a complex cocktail of disillusionment with the status quo, fear of change to the tenants of Islam and a perceived inability to influence from within the traditional structure.

Wahhabists are not interested in debate or discussion. Allen's book paints a very clear picture of a group operating under the notion that, regardless of the source of the challenge, the initiator is wrong and they are correct. He does not suggest ways to address or undermine the influence of wahhabism, merely outlining the how's and why's relating to the creation and flourishing of it.

 

A fascinating read and a superb synopsis of the history of this religious organization. It is not going away nor will it be stamped out through military action alone. It is not a movement that relies upon centralized direction, nor will it be short of recruits while misguided teachers prey upon the uneducated and destitute. I strongly recommend this book; it is fair, balanced and, above all, educational.

Lawrence in Arabia - Scott Anderson

Title: Lawrence in Arabia

Author: Scott Anderson

ISBN: 978-0-771-00768-2

Publisher: Signal Books

Softcover

Pages: 577

Photos/maps: 42/5 

Altruism is not a principle of war nor is it a principle of international relations and it is with this pretext that one must approach the machinations and deal-making that typified the Middle East during the years leading up to, during and immediately following the First World War. Anderson’s book presents the reader with a road map of the toing’s and froing’s between the key actors and nation states of the period and the impact that it has had on the long term social and political development of the region. Certainly, the decisions made then have reverberated down through the decades and continue to be felt in the challenges that we are dealing with today. 

Anderson has been able to effectively cut through the Gordian knot of Middle Eastern societies and politics and break down the story into a manageable and traceable narrative. It is truly awe inspiring the degree of naked ambition (both personal and national) that manifested itself at the expense of all else during this period. The example of France refusing to sanction an attack on Alexandretta in 1915 (resulting in the Gallipoli Campaign) because of its fear that it would lose its post war claim to Syria (this despite the fact that militarily it made eminent sense to strike there) boggles the mind with both its hubris and expectation. 

Turk vs Arab, House of Saud vs Hussein, British vs French, Entente vs Central Power, Lawrence vs Sykes, Tribe vs Tribe, Egypt vs India the list is endless of the competitive agendas that were undertaken as the dance of the Middle East carried on. A consistent theme throughout was Lawrence and his role as guide, intermediary, policy maker and manipulator between all of the various parties. The book is not about Lawrence specifically, but the central role that he plays in this drama is key to the long term results. The author does a very credible job of providing the reader a clear understanding of the personalities involved, what drives them, their bias’s, strengths and weaknesses; none more so than Lawrence. Lawrence holds himself aloof from those around him and forges his own path regardless of the intent or direction from his superiors; a true loose cannon. In doing so, he also contributes to the tragedy that unfolds in the region even while he plunges into cynicism and disillusionment with the Great Powers.

 

This book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Award and it is easy to understand why. Anderson has drafted an eminently readable and, more importantly, comprehendible synopsis of the years leading to the collapse of the Ottoman’s, the intricacies of the war years, the betrayal of promises made to the Arabs and the realignment of the Middle East in the vision of the victorious Western Powers. Additionally, Anderson provides an extensive bibliography and notes section for further study. For those seeking an in-depth yet engaging backgrounder for the modern challenges of the Middle East, this is a book to be read.