Why Political Islam is Winning

Why Political Islam is Winning

Political Islam is making significant strides in the Middle East and parts of North Africa. This is because the Western powers are losing grip of world dominance. Countries like Russia, China are rising quickly to take advantage. While modernism seems to be under threat, America’s hesitance to send ground troops to Islamic regions demonstrates the extent that America’s power has waned. European powers are gradually lagging behind too.

The aftershocks of global recession coupled with enormous costs of engaging in wars make the United States and its Western allies reconsider participation in the battles of the future. The absence of global leadership, therefore, awakens Islamic thoughts in extremist minds.  It results in the wrong interpretation of Quran teachings for malicious gains. Its outcome is the recurrent wars in Syria, Iraq, and other Islamic nations. Charles Hill is convinced that Islam is incompatible with modernity.  He is right in his claim that modernity is indeed failing. Recent attacks in the France paints a clear picture on the damage and failures of modernity.

History shows that Islam is incompatible with modernity and western values. Democracy, for instance, is against the Islamic teachings--so do gender equality. Middle Eastern states thrived economically and politically when authoritarian figures held power. On the contrary, installation of western-backed democratic regimes has been an abject fail in countries like Libya and Iraq. In fact, chances are that the in states like Egypt, Tunisia and Afghanistan may revert to dictatorship due to American weakness.

Charles Hill’s alarmist views on the rise of the Islamic State and the deterioration of modernism sends chills across the Western world. Israeli state is not an exception. A wave of migrants entering Europe on a daily basis is a reflection of horror and the close proximity of political Islam's threat.  To stop the spread of Islamic extremism’ there is a need for caution and rethinking of the current strategies.  Charles Hill does not provide a solution to this problem, but he constantly criticize Obama Administration for laxity. 

For the first time since the end of cold war, America is seeking the counsel of Russia. It is notable that Russia has different agendas for engagement in wars in the Middle East. President Putin is trying hard to regain the country’s former glory. The implication of this is that the West, under America’s leadership, will be forced to compromise its values to cooperate fully with Russia. Besides, the recently struck deal with Iran was possible due to a win-win solution forged with an authoritarian Iran regime. It puts America at an odd position with Israel due to the danger of a ‘nuclear-armed' Iran. However, parting ways with the west will result in an isolation of Israel hence a greater risk.

As Charles Hill claims, failures of modernity are attributable to weak American policies and the pressure from the emerging nations like China. The United States is struggling with her internal issues such as gun violence and racism against the people of color.  There is a societal decay characterized by a widening gap between the less fortunate and the wealthy. Therefore, Washington’s energy is directed towards solving local problems thus resulting in global leadership void. Long-term American allies like Japan having second thoughts on ramping up their military capabilities for future safety. In fact, most experts warn that the waning influence of the West can prompt a shift in global power to the emerging world. If this will be the case, China, Russia, India or Islamic Sate will shape the world order in the near future.