Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West (2007)

Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West is a 2005 documentary film that delves into the perceived threat of Islamism to Western civilization. Directed by Wayne Kopping and co-written and produced by Raphael Shore, the film presents a compelling exploration of the ideologies propagated by Islamic radicals and their efforts to incite global jihad. Drawing parallels between the Nazi movement during World War II and contemporary Islamism, the documentary raises critical questions about the West’s response to these threats.

The film begins with a clear disclaimer: This is a film about radical Islamic terror. A dangerous ideology, fueled by religious hatred. It’s important to remember most Muslims are peaceful and do not support terror. This is not a film about them. This is a film about a radical worldview, and the threat it poses to us all, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

Key contributors in the documentary include:

1. Nonie Darwish: An Egyptian-American human rights activist.
2. Alan Dershowitz: An American lawyer, jurist, and political commentator.
3. Steven Emerson: An American journalist and author.
4. Brigitte Gabriel: A Lebanese American journalist, author, and activist.
5. Martin Gilbert: A British historian and author.
6. Caroline Glick: An American-Israeli journalist.
7. Alfons Heck: Interviewed as a former member of Hitler Youth.
8. Glen Jenvey: A British journalist.
9. John Loftus: An American author, former US government prosecutor, and former Army intelligence officer.
10. Salim Mansur: An Indian-Canadian columnist.
11. Itamar Marcus: An Israeli political activist and founder of Palestinian Media Watch.
12. Daniel Pipes: An American writer and political blogger.
13. Tashbih Sayyed: A Pakistani-American scholar, journalist, and author.
14. Walid Shoebat: A Palestinian immigrant to the United States, interviewed as a former PLO militant.

The film utilizes powerful images from broadcasting networks, sourced from the Middle East Media Research Institute and Palestinian Media Watch. It exposes the hate speech propagated by Islamic radicals and underscores the urgency of understanding the radical worldview that threatens both Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

Obsession has garnered attention for its distribution strategy, including the insertion of 28 million free DVDs into over 70 newspapers, primarily in swing states, before the 2008 US presidential election. While the film has received praise from conservative media personalities, it remains a thought-provoking exploration of the complex dynamics surrounding radical Islam and its impact on global security.