Lewis argues that this aspect of Islamic thought set the stage for the intense rivalry with Christianity that began already in the seventh century and has lasted to this day. Islam held the upper hand in this rivalry until the failed Ottoman siege of Vienna in 1683. Since then, Islam has been bested at almost every turn by Christian and post-Christian civilizations. Islam’s change of fortunes vis-à-vis the West provided the basis for the animosity and hatred that Muslims increasingly harbored toward their ancient rival.

XREF: Connects to broader islamic-Western relations and geopolitical rivalry narratives found in works by Lewis and Huntington's clash of civilizations thesis. QUESTION: Is Lewis's framing of post-1683 decline as the basis for Muslim animosity a defensible causal claim, or does it oversimplify complex historical forces?

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 216