Why Germany Ignored Warnings About Terrorists Entering as Refugees

Summary

The discussion explores the challenges of refugee assimilation in Germany, focusing on Syrian refugees and the distinction between integration and assimilation. It highlights how radical ideologies like Wahhabism, funded by countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have influenced some refugees, contributing to extremist views. The conversation also discusses the role of foreign fighters in Syria, the geopolitical use of radical Islam as a destabilizing tool, and the need for de-radicalization. Despite the concerns, the radicalized individuals represent a small minority. The dialogue emphasizes the complexity of cultural integration and the geopolitical consequences of radicalization.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Over 90% of the refugees who entered Germany were Muslims, but only a small fraction poses a threat.
• ⚠️ The refugees who pose a danger are those who fought in Syria and were indoctrinated by extremist ideologies.
• 🛑 The speaker differentiates between integration and assimilation, explaining that assimilation can take generations.
• 🤝 Integration means accepting the host country's values and laws while keeping one's identity.
• ⛔ People coming from conservative Islamic backgrounds, such as Wahhabis or Salafists, find it difficult to integrate into Western society.
• 🌍 The speaker believes Wahhabism and Salafism have been exported by countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, fueling radicalism.
• 📉 Radical Wahhabist or Salafist Muslims form a small minority (around 1%) of the Muslim population in Germany and Syria.
• 💡 Radicalization is viewed as an intelligence and geopolitical tool used by nations to destabilize regions.
• 🗣️ Many jihadists in Syria were not local Syrians but fighters imported from other nations.
• 🎯 The speaker believes eradicating extremist ideologies should be a global priority, similar to denazification in Germany.

Q & A

What percentage of the refugees entering Germany are Muslims?

Over 90% of the refugees entering Germany are Muslims, according to the speaker in the transcript.

Why are some refugees struggling to integrate into German society?

Some refugees struggle to integrate due to a cultural shock. Those from highly conservative Islamic backgrounds may find it difficult to adapt to Germany's more progressive society.

What is the difference between integration and assimilation according to the speaker?

Integration involves accepting the values, language, and working environment of the host country while maintaining one's own identity. Assimilation, on the other hand, means fully becoming like a member of the host society, which is more difficult and may take multiple generations.

Why does the speaker believe assimilation is difficult, even for native Germans?

The speaker gives an example of his German wife, who, despite being born and raised in Germany, does not fully behave according to traditional German norms, indicating that even native Germans may find it challenging to conform to societal expectations completely.

What role did Saudi Arabia and Qatar play in radicalizing individuals according to the speaker?

The speaker claims that Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been responsible for radicalizing Muslim youth by exporting ideologies like Wahhabism and Salafism, which have led to the indoctrination of militants in Syria.

How does the speaker differentiate between Islam as a religion and radical ideologies?

The speaker emphasizes that the problem lies with radical ideologies like Wahhabism and Salafism, not Islam itself. He stresses that many Muslims do not pose any danger and have lived peacefully with other communities.

What is Wahhabism and how did it spread?

Wahhabism is a radical form of Islam that originated in Saudi Arabia through the Wahhab family and the Saud family. It was used as a way to control the population, and imams trained in Saudi Arabia spread this ideology to other parts of the world, leading to the growth of radical groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

How has the policy of exporting Wahhabism changed under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman?

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that Saudi Arabia would no longer export Wahhabism or radical ideologies, which the speaker sees as a positive development for both the Middle East and Europe.

What is the connection between Wahhabism and terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda?

Wahhabism, with its ultra-conservative ideology, has been the root of many radical terrorist organizations, including ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Although it represents a small fraction of Islam, it has been used to radicalize fighters worldwide.

What percentage of Muslims in Germany are considered Wahhabists, according to the speaker?

The speaker estimates that only about 1% of the Muslims who came to Germany are Wahhabists, indicating that the ideology is a minority even among the refugee population.