[Lysander]

People's Mujahadeen : let's hope it's just a circumstancial support, because they are damned commie terrorists.

The Islamic extremism of the past is now viewed with great hostility, but in the 1980s U.S. policy strongly supported such extremism. There is scarcely any recognition that a little more than a decade ago, the U.S. press waxed eloquent about the Afghan "freedom fighters" that included bin Laden. Mujahiddin-- Freedom fighter-- commie terrorist-- American lackey. It all depends on the time and perspective. Circumstancial support it is indeed.

[Destro]

A decade ago? How about as recently as a few yesterdays ago? Bosnia-Kosovo and to a lesser extent-the Chechens and many Central Asian muji movements?

[papertyger]

The Islamic extremism of the past is now viewed with great hostility, but in the 1980s U.S. policy strongly supported such extremism. There is scarcely any recognition that a little more than a decade ago, the U.S. press waxed eloquent about the Afghan "freedom fighters" that included bin Laden.

What a load.

There's a big difference between supporting someone you assume will be grateful for assistance in achieving self determination, and blythely throwing lethal toys at someone who approves biting the hand that feeds it because that hand is different.

While the first case may be ignorant, it is at least noble in that it assumes the best of other cultures. The second is a leftist's bigoted wet dream.

[El Gato]

There is scarcely any recognition that a little more than a decade ago, the U.S. press waxed eloquent about the Afghan "freedom fighters" that included bin Laden

Bin Laden was a bit player. Many, but not all, members of the so called "Northern Alliance" were also "muj", supported by the US. It's not clear that OBL got any support from the US, and he certainly didn't need it, having plenty of his daddy's money to fiance his own group.