News & Analysis
As Predicted, Tunisian Islamists Emerge
Islamist movement at forefront of Tunisia's protests ... Tunisia's underground Islamic movement has emerged at the forefront of nationwide protests against its leadership and appears set to emerge as the strongest political force in elections. ... Al-Nadha is lead by the London-based exile Rachid Ghannouchi who has said that he will return to the country as soon as the threat of life in prison is lifted. Mr. Ghannouchi has the best claims to an electoral following in Tunisia after the disintegration of the ruling party. He has wide core support at the country's universities and his followers secured 17 per cent in 1989's election – an unrivalled following in Tunisia's rigged electoral system. – UK Telegraph
Dominant Social Theme: Everybody should participate in the modern nation-state, even Islamic fundamentalists. If they attack, however, we shall have to further curtail Western freedoms in the name of security.
Free-Market Analysis: In a recent article (Western Elites Secretly Still Building Islam) we speculated that the Anglo-America power elite was supporting Islam because the West's growing authoritarianism needed an outside enemy to ensure its global expansion. We received some skeptical feedback regarding that perspective, even though we admitted it was a somewhat simplistic analysis.
We recall one feedback that simply questioned whether we had ever been to Tunisia or its environs (none of us have) and implied that lack of on-the-ground familiarity had led us sorely astray. Imagine our surprise when recent reports (available on the Internet) are now indicating that there is a good deal of Islamic activity swirling around Tunisia. It seems Muslim fundamentalism (of some sort) is a feasible political force in post-revolutionary Tunisia, and in fact may provide a point of cohesion in an otherwise fractured society.
We had not done much research into Tunisia at the time we wrote the initial article, a week ago now. But we were trying to provide a larger view. And so we asked, "What if the powers-that-be had decided to do what they could to expand the Muslim threat – and thus expand (in the Western mind anyway) the specter of resurgent, militant Islam? A cynical idea isn't it, dear reader." We were careful to call the idea "speculation," even though we thought we detected a larger pattern, as follows:
In the strife-torn West African nation of Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) the West is supporting Alassane Ouattara, a former prime minister, banker and leader of the opposition over incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo. Ouattara is Muslim; Gbagbo is Christian. The West advocates for the Muslim-linked faction over the Christian one. Then there is the referendum in the Sudan, one of Africa's largest states and most Northern ones. The referendum, being conducted on the auspices of the United Nations, aims to split the country, creating a predominantly Muslim Northern Sudan ... The West, under the auspices of the UN, is in the process of creating a fundamentalist Muslim state. Finally, there is the sorry saga of the War in Kosova in which the West backed Albanian Muslims over Serbian Christians.
http://www.thedailybell.com/1691/Western-Elites-Secretly-Still-Building-Islam.html
We asked the question about the potential for a Muslim state in Tunisia not only because we thought we'd detected a pattern, but because we had analyzed a similar pattern when it came to Iran. We've written about the evolution of Iran's theocracy several times, most recently in September, in an article entitled The Rise of Iran. There is certainly speculation on the Internet that the antecedents of Iran's current state were more complex than what the mainstream reported. Here's an expert from our article:
In an era when the truth-telling of the Internet is continually destabilizing the elite's fear-based promotional propaganda, the erection of a believable and even formidable enemy is of great importance from the Western elite's point of view. It provids a rationale for increased authoritarianism, justifies the West's increased use of spy-technologies (which are mostly domestically aimed) and provides a rationale for continued military-industrial spending.
Seen from this point of view, the West's incursions into Iran and Afghanistan become comprehensible at a fundamental level as well. Saddam Hussein's regime was a nationalist one, but now with Iran's growing influence in the country, the political structure has been overtaken by religious calculations. The theoretical elements of Iran's Shia revolution have been spread not only into Iraq but also into Afghanistan.
Was this a deliberate outcome? We have our suspicions of course. There is no doubt America under Jimmy Carter destabilized the secular regime of the Shah of Iran. Ruhollah Khomeini, stored in France, was put on plane back to Iran (where he apparently groused to reporters that he much disliked Iranians). This was not surprising either from out point of view as Khomeini's father is reported to have been British intelligence ...
http://www.thedailybell.com/1386/The-Rise-of-Iran.html
Now we see the same pattern occurring with Tunisia. Rachid Ghannouchi, an enemy of the previous Tunisian regime, has lived in Britain for 20 years; he returns to Tunisia. He is preparing to revive his Islamic party formally, even though he denies any political ambitions himself. Der Spiegel recently interviewed him. Here's an excerpt:
Rachid Ghannouchi, 69, has lived in London since 1989 when his Islamist party, al-Nahda, was banned in Tunisia. He is now planning to return to Tunisia in the wake of the recent fall of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. He backs the radical Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, but he also argues that multi-party democracy is consistent with Islam ... He spoke with SPIEGEL about why the new government isn't much better than the toppled regime and how Europe's silence prolonged the dictatorship.
SPIEGEL: As leader of what was once the biggest Islamist party, al-Nahda, will you be playing a decisive role in the new Tunisia?
Ghannouchi: I will not be standing for office. I'm nearing 70; there are younger people within our movement. I just wish to contribute intellectually to the historic process of taking Tunisia from the era of repression to one of democracy ...
SPIEGEL: But the new leadership of Tunisia has not lifted your prison term of three life sentences.
Ghannouchi: We completely reject this government, as does the entire Tunisian people. Its majority is composed of figures of the old regime implicated in decades of corruption and repression and it excludes the real opposition and credible representatives of civil society. All parties agreed that we first need a general amnesty, but this government has offered only words and no actions.
Ghannouchi comes across in the interview as a moderate Muslim, claiming that his faction seeks no more than to work with other Tunisian power centers whether religious or secular. However, a little research turns up other perspectives regarding Ghannouchi and his party. According to a post on the Tunisian oriented website Aangirfan, Ghannouchi's party "Ennahda, or Renaissance," (al-Nahda) Tunisia's largest Islamist movement, came in second to the ruling party in 1987 elections.
This didn't suit Tunisia's rulers. Subsequently the party was shut down and Ghannouchi was given protection by Britain. The post continues: "Tunisia accused Ghannouchi of being behind a planned terrorist bombing campaign aimed at crippling Tunisia's tourist industry. A bomb that exploded in a tourist hotel in the resort city of Monastir severely maimed a British woman guest." Aangirfan adds the following:
What about the Islamists in Tunisia? The Islamist movement has been at the forefront of Tunisia's protests ... Iran, Saudi Arabia and the CIA all appear to have a philosophy that could be described as 'fascist'. The mad Moslems and the CIA have another thing in common: heroin. ... In 1996, Tunisian Minister of Justice Sadok Chaabane said that Tunisian Islamists get their funding and political support from (1) Iran (2) Saudi Arabia. According to Chaabane, the 'Islamist' plan is to use Tunisia as "the gateway to its larger neighbors, Algeria and Morocco." Tunisians belong to Sunni Islam, but Chaabane states that Tunisia's Islamist leaders will accept help from wherever they can find it. Of course, some believe that the CIA sees Tunisia as its gateway into oil-rich Algeria and Libya. And the CIA has been happy to use militant Moslems in Kosovo, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Of course this is all speculation. But the patterns repeat. Over and over, one finds the CIA (and MI6 and the Mossad) involved in regime destabilization. At the same time, a militant leader who has received safe-haven in the West heads back to his country. It is not a new strategy – if that is what it is. Germany and France provided safe-harbor for Vladimir Ilyich Lenin before he returned to Russia.
Conclusion: We shall wait and watch. If by some chance militant Islam does gain (regain?) a foothold in Tunisia and if its influence begins to spread to other countries in the region – and maybe even lynchpin states like Egypt – we surely shall see numerous articles in the West decrying its dangerous expansion. This will not surprise us; we are diligent in our attempts to scrutinize the memes of the elite. It will be a predictable dominant social theme: The political elite demands further restriction of Western freedoms – more security checkpoints for domestic citizens, etc. – to combat Islamic expansion. Is this, then, to be the future of Tunisia, the Middle East and the West?
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Posted by Dylboz on 01/26/11 06:34 PM
FYI, Armageddon is actually a place. It's a mountain in Israel, and was once the site of a city considered the gateway between the Sinai and North Africa, and a hub for several regional trade routes. It has been fought over hundreds of times by many different civilizations. Today it is called Har-meggido in Hebrew.
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Posted by EDD on 01/25/11 10:32 PM
@Not Anti-military Per Se: "Regarding Lincoln: He really can't be all bad as the PE apparently had him killed."
Interesting you should make this remark. If John Wilkes Booth really was the assassin, there are some interesting facts surrounding his hatred of Lincoln. He couldn't understand why there were northern bankers in league with southern military and government officials. But his confusion was diminished by the fact that they fed into his hatred. Oh, if we only knew of the schemes promoted by the elite of those days.
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Posted by Vauung on 01/25/11 10:28 PM
"What if, just what if, the powers-that-be are intending to stage Armageddon?"
Thanks Trimergo, this is a fascinating line of speculation. It also helps to explain why the sub-capitalist wastelands of the Middle East have such a disproportionate hold on the global imagination.
But then, what would come next? 'Back to normal' rhetoric would be off the table for good, I'm assuming. It would certainly be a bold play. (How does anybody turn an apocalypse to their advantage?)
Meanwhile, as a trailer to the main feature, Mubarak's family flees:
Click to view link
This could all get very untidy.
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Posted by Not Anti-military Per Se on 01/25/11 08:41 PM
@EDD
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Mostly thank you for your reference to the 'Golden Rule' and distinguishing it as a necessary directive of anyone who wishes to consider themselves "Christian."
The Golden Rule can be seen as the unifying thread to any worth while religious thought, not exclusive to Christianity. Does the rest really matter? No, unless of course you want to play for the PE and their more than ample cadre of cronies.
The PE and their cronies easily rework the golden rule to exclude except for other members of the PE (and cronies). Then they go on to confuse this quintessential point by drawing into the discussion meaningless cultural differences and lesser points of doctrine. In this way the most central issue can be discounted and it becomes quite simple to justify drone attacks on innocents and poisoning of landscape with depleted uranium.
Luke 12:51 "Do you suppose that I came to bring peace to the world?" "No, not peace, but division."
What division? Perhaps between the individual and the corporate (the PE and their cronies). Those who would treat other human beings as they would want to be treated vs. those that would treat only those that they had something significant in common with as they would like to be treated. Humility and sharing freely (love) vs. Pride and selfishness (hate). Good vs. evil.
Freedom and liberty among the first to be furnished to all as one would like for themselves.
It is quite conceivable the PE have read the Bible and are incorporating this world view into their plans. Most importantly understand the "division" and play for the right team.
Regarding Lincoln: He really can't be all bad as the PE apparently had him killed. This must have been for some second thoughts he had on which team he wanted to play for.
As always thank you to the DB. Best wishes in Human Action.
Also, still enthusiastic about the DB view of finding freedom in an unfree world.
Peace.
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Posted by Davidus Romanus on 01/25/11 06:27 PM
You sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.
Reply from The Daily Bell
Stay tuned ...
Reply from The Daily Bell
OK, fixed. You have to remove the http.
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Posted by EDD on 01/25/11 06:01 PM
I know that there are varying thoughts concerning Lincoln posted by thoughts of feedbackers here.
Having straddled the fence for some time concerning his issuance of Greenbacks. A post by Ingo Bischoff yesterday about Reagen and his allowing the deficit to accelerate for exposure of the Fed system has caused me reconsider Lincoln's approach. What was he aware of regarding the financial system of the time?
I am offering a quote attributed to him that feeds into this thread, as follows, (with site reference):
"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
Click to view link
More an that after the following posts:
Trimergo: "What if, just what if, the powers-that-be are intending to stage Armageddon?" And: "Isn't this what is said to happen right before the "Antichrist" is said to start ruling the Middle East?"
DB response: "Could the elite be trying to purposefully maneuver world events so that they mimic the Bible?"
A key part of Lincoln's speech as follows, "working upon the prejudices of the people" becomes the key element for control of the people by the PE. Understanding the principles of meme exercise by the PE illustrates that quote admirably.
There has been much speculation about the 'Antichrist'. The word antichrist appears 3 times in the Bible, and antichrists, (plural form), once. Not once is the word 'antichrist' used in a capitalized form indicating a specific individual. As an example, 'Ancient of Days' referring to a person is in capital form. My study and understanding of the 'Antichrist' is one that has evolved over time with various dissertations.
As such, it has been assimilated into our Christian heritage. The idea of implants in the arm or forehead is another example. My take is that the PE have become experts in this field. Only by coming to a different understanding of these quotes are we able to remove this fear based tactic,i.e. 'prejudice'. Any action which is inconsistent with the 'golden rule' is against Christian principles, i.e. antichristian, (against Christ's teachings).
John, (1/25/2011 4:41:17 AM): "The power elite, need to be careful if they are supporting Islam as a anti-thesis to their synthesis." And: "For if a version of Islam that offers real alternatives to the pe system was supported by the power elite, things could turn out to be very dangerous for them."
Just as laid back Christian people have been slow to monitor political activities, (and waiting until their backs are against the wall before acting), much the same may be said about devout Muslims. Maybe the day will arrive when acceptance of the true spirit of any of the worlds major religious philosophies will become commonplace. Until then Armageddon 'is on' in the spiritual context. The word literally translated is, "a battle on many fronts", and also, "a house with many rooms". (Metaphysical Dictionary, Millord Filmore,Ed.)
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Posted by Giustino on 01/25/11 05:01 PM
To corroborate the Bell's suspicions, here is a link to a Click to view link article putting Rachid Ghanouchi in context. The linked article referred to in footnote 6 is also worth reading: The Technique of a Coup d'etat
by John Laughland.
Reply from The Daily Bell
Thanks for the link - and the directions.
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Posted by Trimergo on 01/25/11 12:37 PM
Thank you. I'll try to post more often.
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Posted by Trimergo on 01/25/11 12:32 PM
Exactly my point. People can be steered much better when they recognize a story. As (I believe) Hermann Goering used to say: "The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it." Time will tell.
This was my first ever post on The Daily Bell by the way, but I've been reading your fine publication for close to a year now. Thanks for your insights. I wouldn't have arrived at certain conclusions without them.
Reply from The Daily Bell
Your comments about religion are insightful in our view.
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Posted by Trimergo on 01/25/11 12:22 PM
What if, just what if, the powers-that-be are intending to stage Armageddon? This might be far-fetched, but with the Jasmin Revolution in Tunisia and tomorrow's protests in Egypt with an unforseeable outcome, the door is open to overthrows all over Northern Africa, probably installing Islamic rule.
Isn't this what is said to happen right before the "Antichrist" is said to start ruling the Middle East? This sure sounds like the enemy the Western (and Eastern) power elites have been looking for, doesn't it? 2012 isn't that far away...
Reply from The Daily Bell
Could the elite be trying to purposefully maneuver world events so that they mimic the Bible?
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Posted by Bob on 01/25/11 11:07 AM
@DB
The answer is "Yes". Chile worked out quite well.
I know how to live with them in "harmony & peace". I spent 17 years working with them "shoulder-to-shoulder". They offer discipline and less corruption.
IMHO, they are the less evil than the present environment. Granted, there are crazy people around them but there are many good people.
As a side notes,
- As I observed, military people don't like too much CIA people
- I don't think US military will go for it
Reply from The Daily Bell
"Chile worked out quite well."
Yes, it's all about the "South American-ization" of the US, complete with military takeover.
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Posted by Bob on 01/25/11 10:32 AM
The USA, like the Soviets before them, are spinning out of control. Nothing less than a military takeover in America, similar to the Chile precedent, will save the country from a major economic and political collapse.
Facts
- America industrial base is rapidly deteriorating
- Without a powerful and vibrant industrial might, US military will disintegrate quickly (in the next 5-10 years) similar to the Soviets
- Based on my personal observation, Chinese comprise between 15-20% of all scientists & engineers and close to none in management in the leading US defense corporations. Consequently, there is nothing to prevent China from gaining the latest and most advance US defense technology & know-how. From now on, the quantity will be on China side since America cannot afford to buy the most advanced and complex weapon systems in quantities.
Lenin was right saying that: " capitalists will sell us a rope we will hang them on." In other words, the Anglo-America power elite is "too smart" for their own future.
Finally, it will take just 2-3 nukes to wipe out Israel from the face of the Earth without Israeli capable of even launching their own nuclear retaliation. For a devoted enemy, these are very attractive odds.
Reply from The Daily Bell
You want the military to take over the US? Are you sure?
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Posted by Dan on 01/25/11 07:27 AM
Usually, the simplest workable solution is the best solution. So I do not think you are too far off the target. I see how the pharmaceutical industry need their boogie men, the military industrial complex need their boogie men, the food industry need their boogie men, the banking industry need their boogie men, so do governments.
Islam may be the boogie man of the day; but freedom is the target, like you have stated numerous times. The fear and greed motivators are our weakness, as humans. We most understand that before we can embrace individual liberty as a species.
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Posted by George Sign on 01/25/11 05:36 AM
The only reason a country's elite adopts an Islamic system is because where there are a large population of practising Muslims the place is easier to control. They not only have government officials but they also have religious leaders controlling the population.
I think the next conflict is between the USA and China. The elite have sat around a table and worked out that it serves a number of useful purposes.
Gets rid of population. Gets rid of the financial problems. Brings in One World Government.
(not posting longer comments as the one on Super Stagflation was "disappeared". I think Jorge Videla must be doing the editing)
Reply from The Daily Bell
If a comment disappeared it was because it was too long. It's a system glitch. You need to divide long posts into two sections.
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Posted by John on 01/25/11 04:41 AM
The power elite, need to be careful if they are supporting Islam as a anti-thesis to their synthesis.
I think they must be supporting a version of Islam that they know is limited, possibly only able to engage in violent acts, without the political and economic know how of offering a viable alternative to the power elite system.
For if a version of Islam that offers real alternatives to the pe system was supported by the power elite, things could turn out to be very dangerous for them. It is impossible to imagine all the different Muslims uniting under one political and economic block in the current system, but it could happen very quickly, and it could spread like a virus.
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Posted by Stargatefast! on 01/25/11 04:21 AM
Hi! Ya ,something Evil is always fomenting anger..then when they get POWER;,butter would'nt melt,- with the intricately colored lettered of the Law soundbites & condecending self-serving false importance. I'd say they are unpacking the body-scanners throughout Europe as iwe type :( Thanks ever ahead DB & dear contributors ;)
