The US blamed Islam instead of its own support for authoritarians

Evidence

Rather than acknowledge the role of Western countries in propping up authoritarians who perpetuate political repression, economic disparities, and corruption that triggers non-state violence, US government officials blamed Islam. Federal prosecutors shared the belief that Islam is “both a religion and a political-social ideology.” — Sahar F. Aziz, The Racial Muslim, 726 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: US officials racialized Muslims as incapable of democracy while arming their dictators — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of…, 368; The US once allied with Islamist forces before treating them as enemies; Liberal-modernization racism blamed Arab political culture for autocracy while US elites backed dictators (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• US officials blamed Islam rather than Western-backed autocracies for extremism. #corroborates (0.98) — Sahar F. Aziz, The Racial Muslim, 726
• Blaming Islam for oppression omits Western support for repressive regimes #corroborates (0.96)