The Devil's Game: How the United States Helped Unleash Fundamentalist Islam

The Devil's Game traces the United States' involvement with radical Islamic movements from the 1940s through the early 21st century. Journalist Robert Dreyfuss documents how American intelligence agencies and policymakers supported fundamentalist groups as Cold War allies against secular nationalism and communism. The book follows key developments across multiple regions, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Afghanistan. Through interviews and declassified materials, Dreyfuss reconstructs the decision-making that led the U.S. to forge partnerships with religious extremists. The narrative examines how this strategy produced long-term consequences that continue to impact international relations and security. The transformation of former U.S.-backed groups into adversaries receives particular focus. This work raises questions about the relationship between foreign policy pragmatism and unintended outcomes. The account highlights tensions between short-term tactical advantages and strategic risks in international relations.

Readers say the book presents a detailed account of US foreign policy's role in the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, backed by extensive research and documentation. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear explanation of complex geopolitical relationships - Previously unreported historical connections - Thorough sourcing and citations - Accessible writing style for non-experts Common criticisms: - Occasionally repetitive content - Some readers felt it had an anti-US bias - A few factual errors noted by Middle East scholars - Limited coverage of pre-1950s events Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (256 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (48 ratings) Several readers noted it pairs well with more recent books on US-Middle East relations. One reviewer called it "eye-opening but sometimes oversimplified." Another praised its "neutral tone when discussing sensitive topics." Multiple readers mentioned the book helped them better understand current events in Iran and Afghanistan.

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🔹 Robert Dreyfuss spent over two decades covering intelligence, national security, and foreign affairs, writing for publications like Rolling Stone, The Nation, and Mother Jones. 🔹 The book traces American involvement with Islamic fundamentalist groups back to the 1950s, when the CIA supported the Muslim Brotherhood as a counterweight to Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser. 🔹 During the Cold War, Saudi Arabia and the United States jointly spent billions of dollars promoting Wahhabism across the Muslim world to combat the spread of communism and secular Arab nationalism. 🔹 The Iranian Revolution of 1979 was partially enabled by U.S. support of religious groups opposing the Shah, which Washington believed would be easier to control than leftist or nationalist movements. 🔹 According to Dreyfuss's research, U.S. intelligence agencies maintained contact with future Taliban leaders during the Soviet-Afghan War, despite warnings from field officers about their extremist beliefs.