Name a middle eastern country that isn’t “an Afghanistan-style base for global jihad”
[Name a middle eastern country that isn’t “an Afghanistan-style base for global jihad”]
Even Islamist leaders are cynics to a man. Someone who truly believed martyrdom meant a straight ticket to paradise wouldn’t bother with leading a movement long term. He’d get his divine ticket punch with a suicide attack. Why wait for paradise? Get there now.
What the firebreathing cynics do is get followers worked up enough to risk their lives. That way, these Islamist leaders can overthrow incumbent rulers and enjoy the fruits of being head honcho. While they need to maintain an image of religious devotion to continue heading their movements, it’s about personal power rather than any transcendental religious belief.