Conspiracy abounds:

A brief thought on conspiracy:

What are the components of a good conspiracy? The type that enchants you and tempts you to consider the viability of an idea so paranoid as to be rendered ridiculous by even the slightest of clear, rational thought? The type of conspiracy that either makes for a wonderful work of fiction, or turns an entire society into a paranoid, schizophrenic mess. Well, why not go to the experts?

Radical Islam = Conspiracies-R-Us
According to the Freedom House report on Saudi hate literature in American Mosques, the clerics of the Saudi endorsed, radical version of Islam known as Wahabism view the world in drastic terms. The world exists as two realms, the world of 'Islam' (read as the world in which their paranoid and violent interpretation of Islam rules supreme) and the world of the other (read as all who are not alligned with their paranoid and violent interpretation of Islam).

As the story goes, the world of Islam contains those who believe (read as those who buy their paranoid and violent interpretation of Islam), and these poor souls are beset by enemies from the outside and from within, all seeking with cruel and mechanical determination to destroy Islam and condemn every soul to hell.

Beyond Arabia
Such lunacy is not contained within the confines of the deserts of Saudi Arabia, however. A recent MEMRI article cites the formation of so-called "Brigades for the Liquidation of Christian Agents and Spies" in Iraq who believe that the Iraqi Christian population has been collaborating with the occupation forces to conspire against Iraq's Muslims.

Another land where conspiracy theories take hold is Turkey, which recently noted Best Seller status for translations of Hitler's Mein Kampf. According to the report I read, books featuring conspiracy theories, especially those involving Israel, also sold extremely well.

So what makes for a good conspiracy? Apparently all it takes is some old fashoined religious fanaticism, combined with totalitarian leadership and no freedom to criticize established powers or political figures, and a vivid imagination.