The Dilip Hiro article at the Nation site suggests that the US also thought that the growth of fundamentalism would be useful in destabilizing the southern flank of the USSR.
Yes...The Voice of America (the propaganda station par excellence) was broadcasting into Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, etc., trying to foster Islamic extremism and ultranationalism.
Chris Doss The Russia Journal
-Not to mention Indonesia and Saudi Arabia (where we have one of the -most reactionaries fundamentalist governments in the world). -Breed ravens and they will eat your eyes.......
Alexandre