The Saudi Connection: Wahhabism and Global Jihad

The United States and Saudi Arabia, once strong allies, disagree over how to handle multiple challenges in the Middle East. The royal family condemns terrorism to western diplomats, but promotes a fundamentalist ideology: “the Saudis have been the most persistent source of support for global jihad by spreading Wahhabism abroad to radicalize foreign Muslims and then giving financial support to their violent struggles in countries as far-flung as Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya,” write Carol E. B. Choksy and Jamsheed K. Choksy for World Affairs. Saudi leaders contradict themselves by condemning attacks on cartoonists in the West and then punishing Saudi bloggers for insulting Islam. The article describes the history of Wahhabism and the Saudi royal family’s efforts to build a reputation for defending Muslims around the globe. Mosques in the United States, France and elsewhere in the world enjoy Saudi support but are subject to Wahhabi influence., which in turn inspires some jihadists. The extremists who support a caliphate could quickly turn against the Saudi leaders. Muslims are a diverse group, and the ideologues have taken on an impossible task with their hope to eliminate questions, debate and criticism about their religious beliefs. – YaleGlobal