Something that doesn’t get discussed enough is how the “Free World” was able to exploit Communism’s official atheism and make it a liability in the Cold War. This was true in Poland, but it was really, really true in Afghanistan. We talk about the blowback we created in funding the mujahideen, but we don’t often mention how they were motivated to fight on behalf of Islam against the godless communists. The U.S. is a religious country that is tolerant of religious differences. But right-wingers like Frank Gaffney play right into the jihadists’ hands when they insist on demonizing Islam and Sharia Law. Whatever we might think about Sharia Law, we’re not in a war against it, nor should we be. We might advocate for human rights that are not upheld under Sharia Law, but we’re not occupying Afghanistan to dictate what kind of legal system they employ. The insistence that we are at war with Islam actually convinces some Muslims. If you are interested in a perpetual state of war, this strategy might make sense. If you want to create some security and peace, it makes no sense at all.
Casual Observation
