Islamic Fundamentalism in the Northern Tier Countries: An Integrative View.

摘要

This report is the capstone to a series of reports analyzing Islamic fundamentalism in the Northern Tier countries-Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Four reports analyze each of the countries in turn, and this document, the integrative study, seeks to establish common patterns and characteristics in the experience of all those states with fundamentalism. The purpose of the studies is to examine the phenomenon of Islamic fundamentalism: its origin, its historical basis, and its relationship to the political, economic, and social institutions of each country. The studies attempt to answer a series of specific operational and policy questions regarding the likely character of fundamental policies in those countries-excluding Iran, which is already a fundamentalist regime-were Islamic radicals to come to power. The role of Iranian influence in each of the countries is also examined. Finally, the studies examine the implications for U.S. policy and the possible options the United States might exercise in its relations with those countries in the future. Although this study limits its scope to the Northern Tier countries its conclusions are of relevance to other countries in the Muslim world.