[PEN-L:30705] SE Asia and Islam

[Charles Jannuzi <b_rieux@xxxxxxxxx>]

Sorry, I can't find the original post about this,
so I started a new thread. Here is my conclusion:
I wouldn't make too much of recent 'revelations'
about Islamic fundamentalist plotting to create a
SE Asian caliphate. Afterall, the same thing was
said to justify the bombing of Afghanistan as if
Iran or Russia had no say in developments there.
China, India and Pakistan, for that matter. The
ridiculous idea that there was some sort of
serious plot to break away Islamic parts of
Thailand and Philippines and join them up with
Indonesia and Malaysia is just that--ridiculous.
And look what such propaganda is being used to do
now: justify US reassertion of imperial rights
over the Philippines--oh, and let's not forget
all the arms sales to the countries there. PM
Mahathir of Malaysia (the one Asian leader to
tell the IMF to get stuffed) sees through such
maneuvering and quite noticeably diverged with
the Bush regime over Iraq. For one thing,
Malaysia continues to buy military equipment from
non-US sources.

C Jannuzi

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