Crusader

A term that has gained prominence in the Western media and Muslim networks (such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabya) since the September 11, 2001, attacks prompted the production and release of audio tapes by jihadists (some of whom are in the terrorist network al-Qaeda, aka The Base) in which Western governments, and their military forces, are referred to as The Crusaders. Presumably, this is a throwback to Medieval times when Christian states in Europe occupied Muslim lands in the name of religion while actually promoting old-fashioned Roman-style imperialism. "Imperialists" and "Crusaders" are interchangeably used in the audio tapes, videos, and published statements of terrorist and jihadist leaders throughout the middle east.