Islamist strands will test Middle East policymakers

Subject

Islamist movements.

Significance

One of the key issues facing policymakers globally, as well as the wider public, is the phenomenon of religiously inspired politics from Muslim communities. This is commonly described as 'Islamism', but the phrase is used as a catch-all label for quite different types of movement.

Impacts

• Indiscriminate crackdowns against non-violent Salafi movements could end up radicalising their supporters.
• In Saudi Arabia, Salafi religious authorities will continue to encourage a more conservative society than elsewhere in the region.
• Internal challenges to Salafism within Saudi Arabia could eventually alter the country's religious outlook.