> Even the indigenous Europeans will be happy to convert. <
That’s an interesting point. And it well might happen. Many folks - consciously or subconsciously - like to be associated with a winner.
Traditional Western institutions look weak and aimless. The Muslims look strong and principled. The Muslims look and behave like winners.
That’s why I think Turkey is the country to beware of, when Russia is ultimately weakened.
They have millions of Muslims all over Europe who will do their bidding when they make their move to finish the job the Ottomans couldn’t.
Reminded of the Churchill quote from 1934, just when Hitler was rising to power:
Would the invaders consent to hear Lord Beaverbrook’s exposition, or listen to the impassioned appeals of Mr. Lloyd George? Would they agree to meet that famous South African, General Smuts, and have their inferiority complex removed in friendly, reasonable debate? I doubt it. I have borne responsibility for the safety of this country in grievous times. I gravely doubt it.
But even if they did, I am not so sure we should convince them, and persuade them to go back quietly home.
They might say, it seems to me, “you are rich; we are poor. You seem well fed; we are hungry. You have been victorious; we have been defeated. You have valuable colonies; we have none. You have your navy; where is ours? You have had the past; let us have the future.” Above all, I fear they would say, “you are weak and we are strong.”