Unmasking the Divide: Dr. Mordechai Kedar on Islam, Iran, and the West
In an FIDF briefing delivered on September 1, 2024, Lt. Col. (Res.) Dr. Mordechai Kedar, one of Israel’s foremost scholars of Islamic culture, offered a deep and nuanced look at the ideological, ethnic, and geopolitical challenges shaping the Middle East today. Against a backdrop of escalating regional instability, Dr. Kedar provided a rare, unfiltered perspective on the forces that shape the radicalization of Islamic factions, the fragility of Iran, and the future of global security.
Iran’s Internal Fault Lines
Dr. Kedar opened by highlighting Iran’s ethnic fragmentation, predicting it may one day splinter like the Soviet Union. From Arabs and Azeris to Kurds and Baluchis, Iran’s multi-ethnic composition undermines any illusion of national unity. He explained how movements within Iran’s Arab-speaking district are already pressing for independence, a development that the regime fears deeply.
The Shia-Sunni Schism
Explaining the centuries-old divide between Shia and Sunni Islam, Dr. Kedar emphasized that this rift is not just religious—it’s political and deeply personal. The conflict over who should have succeeded Muhammad has shaped rival legal systems, versions of the Quran, and global allegiances. Within Sunni Islam, the Muslim Brotherhood represents an especially radical stream, intent on replacing modern states with Sharia-based theocracies.
The Muslim Brotherhood and Its Global Influence
Dr. Kedar detailed the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928, and explained how it laid the ideological groundwork for groups like Hamas, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. He warned that Brotherhood ideology has deeply penetrated mosques and universities across the West, particularly through Qatari funding.
Western Blind Spots
In a particularly striking moment, Dr. Kedar criticized Western governments and institutions for underestimating the long-term implications of Islamist extremism operating within pluralistic societies. He highlighted how organizations in the U.S., including media and academia, have received funding from Qatar and others to downplay the threat of radical Islam. His message was clear: Follow the money—and don’t be fooled by diplomatic smiles.
Strategic Restraint and Deterrence
Kedar also shed light on why Iran and Hezbollah haven’t escalated the current war: Hamas acted alone on October 7 without informing its backers. As a result, Iran has chosen caution over confrontation. Kedar emphasized the importance of restoring deterrence and avoiding prolonged conflict, particularly in Israel’s northern region.
Final Warning: A Clash of Civilizations?
Dr. Kedar concluded with a stark assessment: Many in the Islamic world view the West not just as foreign, but as corrupting. He explained that certain radical ideologies view Western democratic values as incompatible with their worldview. Unless these ideological undercurrents are addressed, the West will remain vulnerable to cultural and ideological warfare.
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