The Enemy of My Enemy
Encyclopedia
The Enemy of My Enemy: The Alarming Convergence of Militant Islam and the Extreme Right is a book by political science
professor George Michael
of the University of Virginia Wise. It examines the alliances between neo-Nazis, Holocaust deniers
, and white separatists
with Islamists
such as Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas
, and Egyptian Islamic Jihad.
It was published in April 2006 by University Press of Kansas
as a 397-page hardcover (ISBN 0-7006-1444-3).
, modernity
, and the so-called New World Order
. Both camps share a "fervent anti-Semitism
, accompanied by strong pro-Palestinian
views, anger over Israel
's influence on American policymakers, and opposition to the Iraq War and the U.S. presence in the Middle East."
reviewed the book, writing:
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
of The Weekly Standard
and Foundation for the Defense of Democracies noted that the book was far from perfect as at some points it has block quotes with very little analysis, and is too long, but that its value "can be found in its in-depth study of the on-again, off-again love affair between radical Islam and the extreme right. How the latest chapter in this romance will play out remains to be seen."
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
professor George Michael
George Michael (professor)
George J. Michael is an associate professor of political science and administration of justice at The University of Virginia's College at Wise...
of the University of Virginia Wise. It examines the alliances between neo-Nazis, Holocaust deniers
Holocaust denial
Holocaust denial is the act of denying the genocide of Jews in World War II, usually referred to as the Holocaust. The key claims of Holocaust denial are: the German Nazi government had no official policy or intention of exterminating Jews, Nazi authorities did not use extermination camps and gas...
, and white separatists
White separatism
White separatism is a separatist political movement that seeks separate economic and cultural development for white people. White separatists generally claim genetic affiliation with Anglo-Saxon cultures, Nordic cultures, or other white European cultures...
with Islamists
Islamism
Islamism also , lit., "Political Islam" is set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only a religion but also a political system. Islamism is a controversial term, and definitions of it sometimes vary...
such as Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
, and Egyptian Islamic Jihad.
It was published in April 2006 by University Press of Kansas
University Press of Kansas
The University Press of Kansas is a publisher that represents the six state universities in the US state of Kansas — Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas, and Wichita State University...
as a 397-page hardcover (ISBN 0-7006-1444-3).
Synopsis
In the book Michael examines the positions of neo-Nazi and Islamist groups on American foreign policy, the mediaMass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
, modernity
Modernity
Modernity typically refers to a post-traditional, post-medieval historical period, one marked by the move from feudalism toward capitalism, industrialization, secularization, rationalization, the nation-state and its constituent institutions and forms of surveillance...
, and the so-called New World Order
New World Order (conspiracy)
In conspiracy theory, the term New World Order or NWO refers to the emergence of a totalitarian one-world government.The common theme in conspiracy theories about a New World Order is that a secretive power elite with a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an...
. Both camps share a "fervent anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
, accompanied by strong pro-Palestinian
Palestinian nationalism
Palestinian nationalism is the national movement of the Palestinian people. It has roots in Pan-Arabism and other movements rejecting colonialism and calling for national independence. More recently, Palestinian Nationalism is expressed through the Israeli–Palestinian conflict...
views, anger over Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
's influence on American policymakers, and opposition to the Iraq War and the U.S. presence in the Middle East."
Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- The Contemporary Extreme Right
- The Development of Militant Islam
- Militant Islam in the United States
- Interaction between the Extreme Right and Islamic/Arab Extremist
- The U.S. Government's Response to Political Extremism and Terrorism
- The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Aftermath of 9/11
- How the Extreme Right Views the Current Crisis
- How Militant Islam Views the Current Crisis
- Prospects for Cooperation between Militant Islam and the Extreme Right
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Selected Bibliography
Reception
Political Science QuarterlyPolitical Science Quarterly
Political Science Quarterly is an American scholarly journal covering government, politics and policy, published continuously since 1886 by the Academy of Political Science. It is the oldest political science journal in the United States....
reviewed the book, writing:
George Michael's The Enemy of My Enemy explores the connections and possibilities for cooperation between a threat of substantial contemporary interest to policymakers, intelligence analysts, and political scientists—militant Islamic movements like the al Qaeda organization (AQO)--and one that is, in many respects, an incipient one, Western right-wing extremism. The book provides a good overview of the historical and intellectual wellsprings of these two movements, but ultimately does not provide a case that would justify alarm.
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross is an American counter-terrorism expert and attorney living in Washington D.C. He is the Director of the Center for the Study of Terrorist Radicalization at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank. He frequently consults on counter-terrorism...
of The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative opinion magazine published 48 times per year. Its founding publisher, News Corporation, debuted the title September 18, 1995. Currently edited by founder William Kristol and Fred Barnes, the Standard has been described as a "redoubt of...
and Foundation for the Defense of Democracies noted that the book was far from perfect as at some points it has block quotes with very little analysis, and is too long, but that its value "can be found in its in-depth study of the on-again, off-again love affair between radical Islam and the extreme right. How the latest chapter in this romance will play out remains to be seen."
External links
- The Enemy of My Enemy, at the publisher's website.