Part of the rise of fundamentalism in the Middle East is the failure of secular organisations and political parties to challenge successfully the tyrants who have ruled many of these countries.

In Iraq , for example, the communist party ,which cut across religious and sectarian lines in terms of both its memebership and leadership, was all but destroyed by Saddam using lists and addresses provided by the CIA.The communists and their families were arrested,tortured and executed.

Its tragic failure opened the door to religious parties and organisations to organise against Saddam and his Baathist party.
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