Chomsky is asked whether New Atheists like Sam Harris are correct that religious fundamentalism is the actual primary motive for Middle Eastern fundamentalist violence. The argument he winds up making is that, contra-Harris, the issue is that the US and Israel have made concerted efforts to destroy all secular nationalist endeavors by promoting religious fundamentalists at their expense and therefore have left religious fundamentalism as the only vehicle for people to express political dissatisfaction with Western policies.

I never feel knowledgeable enough about the Middle East to pronounce precisely on these issues. So, as much as ever, I need Your Thoughts.

Your Thoughts?