"Washington does not disagree with Islam. Turkey, to wit, is a Muslim country and coexists with the west. It is also a member in the NATO. Saudi Arabia, which is a Muslim country, has ever been America's chief ally in the region for 60 or 70 years. Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria among other Muslim countries cooperate freely and amicably with the US. Hence, the US would not mind whether Islam rules or not. Islam, when rules, becomes a domestic Islam that can be tamed, negotiable and open to dialogue. However, when isolated, what would we gain? Terrorism in Europe and America, oppression inside and blackmailing. In fact, dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere, have often blackmailed the US and the west." Excerpt from an interview by Tunisia's Al-Sabah newspaper with prominent Tunisia writer Said Al-Safi.