Week 11: Tamara Sonn (Is Islam an Enemy of the West?

1. **Terrorist Threats and Declarations of War:**

- Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, declared war against the United States and its
allies.
- Terrorist attacks, including 9/11, Madrid in 2004, and London in 2005, were at-
tributed to or inspired by al-Qaeda.
- Boko Haram, pledging allegiance to ISIS, aimed to establish strict Islamic law
globally, starting in Nigeria.

2. **ISIS and Global Islamic Domination:**

- ISIS, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claimed to be the vanguard for global Islamic
domination.
- ISIS insisted on a final showdown with "disbelief" until the entire world submits
to Islamic law.

3. **Anti-West Sentiments and "Death to America":**

- Iran's government annually denounces America with chants of "Death to Amer-
ica!" since the 1979 revolution.
- Ayatollah Khomeini referred to the U.S. as "the Great Satan," inspiring Osama bin
Laden's creation of al-Qaeda.

4. **Views of Far-Right Figures:**

- Politicians like Geert Wilders and Marine Le Pen express concerns about Islam as
an enemy of the West.
- Some far-right figures believe Islam poses a threat, comparing the Qur'an to Mein
Kampf and warning against Muslim immigration.

5. **Global Islamist Conspiracy Claims:**

- Writers like Robert Spencer and Glenn Beck argue that Islam, over time, has be-
come a global totalitarian threat.
- Organizations like the American Freedom Defense Initiative aim to expose what
they perceive as a globalizing, fascist Islam.

6. **Majority of Muslims Reject Terrorism:**

- The majority of Muslims, including those in the West, reject the claims and ac-
tions of terrorist groups.
- Extensive polls show that Muslims worldwide condemn the 9/11 attacks and ad-
mire aspects of Western life.

7. **Muslims and Western Concerns:**

- Mainstream Muslims share concerns about economic and political development,
opposition to authoritarian governments, and U.S.-led wars.
- Mainstream Muslims prefer peaceful means to address their concerns, working
through local, national, and international channels.
8. **Radicalization and Frustration:**
- Prolonged struggles for economic and political development may lead to frustra-
tion and radicalization among some Muslims.
- Factors like Western militarism and the "war on terror" are cited as contributors to
the morphing of national-level radicalism into global jihadism.

9. **Understanding Motivations for Counteraction:**

- Recognizing the motivations and differences between terrorists and mainstream
Muslims is crucial for effectively addressing global jihadist groups.
- The text suggests that understanding these dynamics can guide efforts to counter-
act the proliferation of terrorist organizations.

Key points from the elaboration:

1. **Terrorist Attacks in 2015:**

- Paris witnessed terrorist attacks, starting with the Charlie Hebdo incident on Janu-
ary 7, followed by the November 13 attacks killing 130 and the San Bernardino
shooting in California on December 2, killing 14.
- These events, along with numerous others over two decades, raise concerns about
Islam being at war with the West.

2. **Osama bin Laden's Declaration of War (1996):**

- Bin Laden issued a "Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the
Land of the Two Holy Places" in 1996.
- He was angered by the Saudi ruling family's collaboration with the U.S., espe-
cially the stationing of American forces in the Arabian Peninsula.

3. **Historical Background (1979-1990):**

- Events leading up to U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia: Iran's revolution in 1979, Iraq's
invasion of Iran, and the Gulf War in 1991.
- Bin Laden's offer to protect Saudi Arabia was rejected, leading to the stationing of
U.S. troops, causing significant resentment.

4. **Formation of al-Qaeda:**
- Foreign volunteers, including Osama bin Laden, fought against the Soviets in
Afghanistan.
- After the Soviet defeat in 1988, al-Qaeda was formed, initially without a specific
mission.

5. **Focus on the United States:**

- Bin Laden's attention turned to the United States due to perceived offenses, in-
cluding its military presence in Saudi Arabia.
- Al-Qaeda's first attack on the World Trade Center occurred in 1993.
6. **Bin Laden's Fatwa (1998):**
- Bin Laden issued a fatwa in 1998, condemning U.S. policies, sanctions against
Iraq, and support for Israel.
- The fatwa declared fighting the U.S. as a matter of self-defense.

7. **Post-9/11 Statements and Threats:**

- Bin Laden's post-9/11 statements warned the U.S., drawing parallels with the So-
viet defeat in Afghanistan.
- His successors, including ISIS, continued the anti-West rhetoric and threats.

8. **Islamic State (ISIS) and the Caliphate:**

- ISIS, formed after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, seeks to establish a caliphate and is a
more radical offshoot of al-Qaeda.
- Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, issues calls for Muslims to rise against the
West, portraying the establishment of the caliphate as a utopian goal.

9. **Responses and Recruitment:**

- Leaders in the Muslim world, including scholars like Yusuf al-Qaradawi, reject al-
Baghdadi's claims.
- Al-Baghdadi, nevertheless, continues to recruit, calling for Muslims to take action
against perceived enemies.

Key points from the elaboration:

1. **ISIS Leader's Views (al-Baghdadi):**

- Al-Baghdadi calls for Muslims to join his self-styled Islamic state through hijra
(emigration) and views this as a continuous duty for all Muslims, contrary to the tra-
ditional belief that hijra was a one-time event 1,400 years ago.
- He extends the duty of jihad (war) to all Muslims, believing it is an ever-present
obligation, not just for self-defense but against "unbelievers" regardless of hostilities.

2. **Apocalyptic Perspective:**
- Al-Baghdadi sees the ongoing struggle as an apocalyptic battle between the forces
of good and evil, with Muslims on a collision course with the West and non-partici-
pants.

3. **Contrast with Majority Muslim Views:**

- Majority of victims of terrorism are Muslims, with ISIS responsible for significant
civilian deaths in Iraq and Syria.
- Al-Qaeda and ISIS have faced opposition from Muslims, and their actions contra-
dict the beliefs of the majority.

4. **Terrorism Statistics and Muslim Concerns:**

- The majority of terrorist attacks occur in Muslim-majority countries, with Mus-
lims being the primary victims.
 - Muslims globally express concerns about terrorism, and increasing majorities hold
negative opinions of extremist groups.

5. **Outliers within Islam:**

- Global jihadis, including al-Qaeda and ISIS, are outliers within Islam.
- They condemn the majority of Muslims, particularly targeting those who do not
support their cause.

6. **Radical Strategists' Views:**

- Strategists like Abu Bakr al-Naji and Abu Mus'ab al-Suri advocate dramatic ter-
rorist acts to sway public opinion and inspire Muslims to join their cause.
- They reject cooperation with existing regimes and emphasize secrecy and small-
group organization.

7. **Recruitment Strategy:**
- Being outsiders and rebels is a major recruiting tool for jihadis, attracting those
who seek autonomy and oppose mainstream Muslim authorities.
- Jihadis, including al-Baghdadi, dismiss the condemnation from mainstream Mus-
lims as influenced by what they perceive as "criminal sorcerers.”

Key points from the text:

1. **ISIS Recruiting Strategy:**

- ISIS recruiters appeal to individuals who feel humiliated and disgraced by the
West, portraying the West as degenerate elites controlling resources and occupying
their land.
- The narrative targets the marginalized underclass, the unemployed, and those who
feel rejected by mainstream society.

2. **Recruitment Techniques:**
- Highly produced online materials exploit the frustrations and desire for vengeance
among potential recruits.
- ISIS recruiters are trained to target non-religious or irreligious individuals who
may not be knowledgeable about Islam.
- High school students are preferred over college students, and youths from rural ar-
eas are considered more suitable recruits.

3. **Avoidance of Religious Scrutiny:**

- Recruiters are advised not to recruit people who are very religious or have exten-
sive knowledge of Islam, as they may question jihadist tactics.
- The focus is on individuals who have just begun a religious journey or are not
deeply involved in religious matters.

4. **Delay in Introducing Violent Content:**

 - Recruiters are instructed to hold off on showing violent online videos until poten-
tial recruits are sufficiently motivated to seek revenge against perceived oppressors.

5. **Appeal to Outsiders and Misfits:**

- Recruits are reminded that they are not alone and will find a home if they join ji -
had, appealing to their sense of being outsiders and misfits.

6. **Maoist Influence on Jihadist Strategies:**

- Jihadis consciously self-identify as outsiders and draw inspiration from non-Mus-
lim sources, particularly Mao Tse-tung, Che Guevara, and General Vo Nguyen Giap.
- Strategies and tactics of jihadis are consciously based on guerrilla warfare meth-
ods developed by these figures.

7. **Use of Non-Muslim Sources:**

- Jihadis rely more on strategic matters than religious issues in their manuals.
- The use of Maoist, Che Guevara, and Clausewitz's military theories is prevalent in
jihadi literature.

8. **Ideological and Numerical Minority:**

- Jihadis consciously position themselves as ideological and numerical minorities
within both the Western and Muslim contexts.
- Intelligence estimates indicate successful recruitment of foreign fighters and the
establishment of foreign branches.

9. **Hostility Towards Mainstream Muslims:**

- Jihadis' Islam is not only hostile to the West but also to mainstream Muslims,
whom they condemn.
- The majority of victims of jihadis are mainstream Muslims.

This passage discusses Muslim opposition to terror and provides insights into how Is-
lamic law, known as Sharia, condemns terrorism. Here are the key points:

1. **Sharia Objectives:**
- Sharia, Islamic law, aims to preserve fundamental human rights, including life, re-
ligion, family, property, and human dignity.
- The preservation of life is considered sacred in Islamic law.

2. **Definition of Hirabah:**
- Islam's prohibition of terrorism is rooted in its condemnation of hirabah, a broader
concept than Western definitions of terrorism.
- Hirabah involves violence against random victims, creating fear in the streets, and
is seen as the opposite of the peace and security that Islam seeks to establish.

3. **Opposition to Terrorism:**
 - Muslim religious authorities universally condemn terrorism, considering it a crime
against Islam and humanity.
- The condemnation extends to attacks that involve massive civilian casualties.

4. **Post-9/11 Muslim Condemnations:**

- After the 9/11 attacks, leaders from various Muslim authorities, including the Or-
ganization of the Islamic Cooperation, Sunni religious authority Yusuf al-Qaradawi,
and others, publicly condemned the attacks.
- Muslim groups, including Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Pakistan's Jamaat-e-Is-
lami, and others, issued statements condemning the events.

5. **Global Condemnations:**
- King Abdullah of Jordan and over 200 Muslim authorities from 50 countries is-
sued the Amman Message condemning terrorism comprehensively.
- Condemnations continued after subsequent attacks, such as the Madrid bombings
in 2004.

6. **Refutation of Terrorist Interpretations:**

- Muslim authorities provide detailed refutations of terrorist interpretations of Is-
lam.
- The "Open Letter to al-Baghdadi" in 2014, signed by Sunni Muslim religious au-
thorities, categorically denies the justification of killing innocent people in the name
of Islam.

7. **Clarification on Hudud Punishments:**

- The passage clarifies that hudud punishments (e.g., amputation for theft, lashes for
adultery) are subject to strict conditions and rules of evidence.

The overall message is that Islam, as represented by diverse authorities, condemns

terrorism, upholds human rights, and rejects the targeting of innocent civilians.

Certainly! The text discusses several key points related to the concept of a caliphate,
opposition to terrorism among Muslims, and shared grievances that both mainstream
Muslims and global jihadis may have. Here's an elaboration of the text:

1. **Unilateral Declaration of Caliphate:**

- The idea of unilaterally declaring a caliphate, a single leader for all Muslims
worldwide, is deemed unfounded. While there was political unity among Muslims for
a brief period after the death of Muhammad in the seventh century, the caliphate
gradually became symbolic as regions gained political autonomy.
- The caliphate survived until the end of World War I when the Ottoman Empire,
the last holders of the title, was defeated, and the position was abolished in 1924. The
Letter to al-Baghdadi emphasizes that reestablishing the caliphate requires consensus
among Muslims worldwide, which is challenging given their diverse circumstances.
2. **Illegitimacy of Self-Declared Caliph:**
- The Letter to al-Baghdadi asserts that the self-declared caliph has no legitimacy,
and religious authorities in Mosul rejected his claim. The killing of these authorities
by the Islamic State is cited as an example of the dangers of imposing beliefs through
force, causing chaos and undermining stability.

3. **Issues of Citizenship Responsibilities:**

- Al-Baghdadi's demand for "true" Muslims to emigrate to the territory claimed by
the Islamic State is discussed, known as hijrah. The authorities argue that this is an il-
legal confiscation of property, comparing it to Israeli occupation of Palestinian terri-
tory.
- The text rejects IS's denouncement of patriotism and allegiance to one's country,
affirming that love of country is consistent with Islam, even for Muslim members of
armed forces.

4. **Muslim Opposition to Terrorism:**

- While global terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS are acknowledged as fear-
some, the majority of Muslims condemn their actions as violations of Islamic norms.
The mainstream position, as summarized by legal scholar Cherif Bassiouni, is that
terrorists' violence may be in the name of Islam, but it is not permitted in Islam.

5. **Motivations Behind Terrorism:**

- The text explores the motivations behind terrorism, citing statements that con-
demn the actions. The rage and despair of terrorists are linked to grievances such as
the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, Russian control of Chechnya, and In-
dian control of Kashmir.

6. **Shared Grievances - Palestine:**

- The historical background of the Palestine-Israel conflict is detailed, emphasizing
the statelessness of Palestinians. The Sykes-Picot Agreement, Balfour Declaration,
and subsequent events leading to the establishment of Israel are discussed. The ongo-
ing issues of refugees, settlements, and human rights violations are highlighted.

7. **Other Grievances:**
- The text briefly mentions other shared grievances stemming from the end of em-
pires and European manipulation, such as the Kashmir conflict in the Indian subconti-
nent.

Overall, the passage underscores the complexity of issues related to caliphate, terror-
ism, and shared grievances among Muslims, shedding light on the diverse perspec-
tives within the Muslim community.

The text discusses various geopolitical issues and conflicts involving Muslim-major-
ity countries, focusing on their historical backgrounds and current situations. Here's
an elaboration on the key points:
1. **Kashmir Conflict:**
- **Background:** India, Pakistan, and those advocating for an independent Kash-
mir have been in conflict, resulting in three wars and numerous casualties.
- **Human Rights Concerns:** Allegations of human rights abuses by India are
widespread.
- **Current Situation:** The region remains divided between India and Pakistan
along the "Line of Control," marked by heavy militarization.

2. **Somalia:**
- **Historical Significance:** Somalia, located on the Horn of Africa, has a com -
plex history, marked by British and Italian colonization.
- **Post-Independence Challenges:** Internal strife, including a military coup in
1969, and the attempt to incorporate Ethiopia's Ogaden region led to instability.
- **Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis:** The central government's overthrow in
the late 1980s resulted in clan-based local governments, civil war, and famine, de-
scribed as "genocide by starvation."
- **Current Issues:** Droughts, piracy, and the presence of groups like al-Shabaab
contribute to ongoing instability.

3. **Chechnya:**
- **Historical Context:** Chechnya, located in the Caucasus region, has a history
of resistance against Russian dominance, dating back to the 16th century.
- **Soviet Era and Recent History:** The region faced atrocities under Soviet rule,
and after brief independence in 1991, it experienced conflict with Russia.
- **Post-2000 Situation:** The official end of the war in 2000, but insurgency and
allegations of human rights violations persist, highlighted by the assassination of
journalist Anna Politskovskaya in 2006.

4. **Other Mentions:**
- **Bosnia:** Reference to the Bosnian War and the massacre of Muslim civilians.
- **Burma (Myanmar):** Aung San Suu Kyi's silence on Rohingya discrimination
and systematic repression reported by Human Rights Watch.

5. **Global Jihadi Agenda:**

- **Muslim Perspectives:** Most Muslims are not aligned with a global Islamic
state, and even groups using terrorism focus on nationalist objectives rather than an
anti-West agenda.

6. **Mainstream Muslim Strategies:**

- **Post-Colonial Challenges:** Muslim-majority countries, particularly in Asia,
grapple with challenges arising from European colonialism.
- **Examples:** Indonesia's democratic development, Pakistan's democratic strug-
gles, and India's democratic participation despite occasional communal tensions.
 - **Economic and Social Development:** Efforts toward democracy, development,
and cooperation with the West are common themes in these countries.

7. **Middle Eastern Countries:**

- **Turkey:** Transition from the Ottoman Empire to a modern democracy under
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's leadership, emphasizing development but also facing chal-
lenges related to religious authorities and public perception.

Key Points Elaboration:

**Atatürk's Era and Turkey's Alignment with the West:**

- **World War II and Anti-Communist Sentiments:** Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the
founder of modern Turkey, died on the eve of World War II. Turkey, aligning with
the Western Allies, shared global concerns about Communist expansion.
- **Korean War and NATO Membership:** Turkish troops participated in the Ko-
rean War against Communists, and in 1952, Turkey joined NATO to counter Soviet
expansion and protect Western interests.

**Internal Turmoil and Military Coups in Turkey:**

- **Instability and Coups:** Fears of Soviet expansion, border disputes, and ethnic
tensions contributed to internal instability in Turkey, resulting in military coups in
1960, 1972, and 1980.
- **Return to Democracy:** Despite periods of military dominance, Turkey contin-
ued to choose democracy as its preferred form of government.

**Turbulent Periods and Democratic Movements:**

- **1970s Clashes:** Leftists and right-wing militarists clashed in the 1970s, causing
turbulence in Turkey.
- **1980s Restoration of Stability:** The 1980s saw the restoration of stability and
democracy, but discontent with traditional military-dominated elites led to the rise of
new democratic movements.

**Rise of Islamist Parties and AKP Dominance:**

- **Welfare and Motherland Parties:** The Welfare Party and the Motherland Party,
espousing democracy and religious values, gained prominence in the 1995 elections.
- **Ban on Islamist Parties:** Traditional secular elites banned the Welfare Party in
1998, leading to the emergence of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The
AKP, led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been in power since 2002.
- **Authoritarianism Concerns:** Erdogan's efforts to marginalize the military raised
concerns about rising authoritarianism. The AKP's overt Islamism has also faced op-
position from diehard secularists.

**Turkey's Shifting Alliances and Regional Dynamics:**

- **Shifts in Attitudes:** Turkey's attitudes toward the West cooled due to events
like the Iraq War and regional instability. Allegations of double-dealing with ISIS
strained Western-Turkish relations.
- **Steadfast Western Ally:** Despite tensions, Turkey remains a loyal Western ally,
hosting NATO facilities like Incirlik Air Base.

**Iran's Historical Background and Shifts:**

- **Constitutional Revolution:** Like Turkey, Iran underwent a constitutional revo-
lution in the early 20th century, facing threats from neighboring Russia.
- **Reza Shah's Modernization:** Reza Shah attempted rapid modernization, includ-
ing renaming Persia to Iran to emphasize its non-Arab identity.
- **Foreign Intervention and Authoritarian Rule:** During World War II, foreign
powers occupied Iran, and Reza Shah's authoritarian rule faced increasing opposition.

**Oil Nationalization and Western Involvement:**

- **Mosaddegh's Nationalization:** Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh sought
to nationalize Iran's oil resources in 1951, facing opposition from Britain and the U.S.
- **Overthrow of Mossadegh:** A joint mission in 1953 ousted Mossadegh, rein-
forcing the Shah's power but maintaining foreign control over Iran's oil.

**1979 Islamic Revolution and Post-Revolutionary Period:**

- **Shah's Exile and "Hostage Crisis":** The Shah's exile triggered the U.S. embassy
occupation in Tehran and the 444-day hostage crisis.
- **Iran-Iraq War and Democratization Stall:** The Iran-Iraq war slowed democrati-
zation. In 1997, Mohammad Khatami's election marked a liberal reformer's ascen-
dancy.
- **Shifts in Leadership and Nuclear Agreement:** Ahmadinejad's anti-West stance
followed Khatami, but Iran's reformers persisted. President Rouhani's 2015 nuclear
agreement aimed to rebuild relations with the West.

**Egypt's Democratic Experiment and Reversal:**

- **Post-Mubarak Democratic Elections:** Egypt held successful democratic elec-
tions in 2012, resulting in the election of Muhammad Morsi, a representative of the
Muslim Brotherhood.
- **Military Coup and Authoritarianism:** Morsi's election triggered opposition
from elites fearing loss of control, leading to a military coup in 2013. Egypt, under al-
Sisi, experienced human rights abuses and political repression.

**Tunisia: Arab Spring's Tenuous Success:**

- **Foreign Exploitation and Social Discontent:** Tunisia, under French control until
1956, faced foreign exploitation and social discontent, leading to labor strikes and
demonstrations.
- **Rise of Progressive Islamic Tendency Movement (MTI):** The MTI advocated
Islamic values of equality and justice, demanding economic and political participa-
tion.
- **Ben Ali's Reforms and Repression:** President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali reversed
anti-religious legislation but intensified repression against MTI. Economic woes in
the 1980s sparked more protests.

**Tunisia's Ongoing Struggles and Limited Success:**

- **Al-Nahda's Persistence:** Al-Nahda, previously the MTI, persisted despite per-
secution. The group's non-violent approach conflicted with accusations of terrorism.
- **Successes and Setbacks:** Tunisia, while facing economic challenges, remains a
tenuous success story of the Arab Spring, with ongoing struggles for democracy
and human rights.
-
**Key Points Elaboration:**

**Background of Repression and Unemployment (1990s):**

- **Continued Repression and Economic Struggles:** Repression persisted in many
Muslim-majority countries during the 1990s, leading to widespread discontent. Un-
employment rates soared, adding to the challenges faced by the population.

**Arab Spring: Sparked by Mohamed Bouazizi's Tragedy (2010):**

- **Mohamed Bouazizi's Tragic Incident:** The Arab Spring, a series of populist up-
risings in the Middle East, was triggered by the tragic event of Mohamed Bouazizi in
December 2010.
- **Self-Immolation as Protest:** Bouazizi, a fruit vendor supporting his family, self-
immolated after facing police mistreatment and government indifference. The inci-
dent went viral, sparking nationwide protests against decades of repression and unfair
treatment.

**Tunisia's Revolution and Democratic Transition:**

- **Ben Ali's Resignation:** Within a month of widespread protests, Tunisian Presi-
dent Ben Ali resigned and went into exile in Saudi Arabia.
- **Return of Exiled Leaders and Democratic Elections:** Exiled leaders returned to
Tunisia, and elections were held for a constituent assembly to draft a new constitu-
tion.
- **Dominance of Al-Nahda Party:** The Islamist Al-Nahda Party dominated elec-
tions, collaborating with secular parties to navigate the challenges of revolution and
political instability.

**Challenges and Recognition:**

- **Assassinations and Economic Struggles:** Challenges persisted, including the
assassination of secular leaders and economic stagnation.
- **2014 Elections and Recognition by Nobel Committee:** In the 2014 elections,
the secular Nidaa Tounes party won, and Tunisia's collaborative efforts were recog-
nized when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Tunisian National Dialogue
Quartet in 2015.
**Global Contributions by Mainstream Muslims:**
- **Diverse Contributions to Global Community:** The text highlights various indi-
viduals and organizations within Muslim-majority countries contributing to global
challenges, including Nobel laureates, writers, scientists, and human rights activists.
- **Positive Recognition:** Contrary to negative perceptions fueled by terrorism,
mainstream Muslims are recognized for positive contributions to humanity, encom-
passing fields like economics, literature, physics, chemistry, and human rights.
-
**Key Points Elaboration:**

**1. Perception of Islam and Terrorism:**

- **Religious Framing by Terrorists:** Some scholars assert that Islam is the root of
terrorism, attributing it to terrorists' religiously framed denunciations of the West.
- **Debate on Mainstream Views:** Journalist Graeme Wood quoted Princeton
scholar Bernard Haykel, challenging mainstream Muslim organizations' claims that
terrorists were "un-Islamic."
- **Haykel's Perspective:** Haykel dismissed mainstream denunciations as "politi-
cally correct" and insisted that Islamic State warriors are "deeply infused with reli-
gious vigor."

**2. Islamic State's Use of Islamic Terms:**

- **Islamic State's Language:** Groups like the Islamic State use Islamic terms in
their campaigns against Western policies.
- **Question of Legitimacy:** While the language is Islamic, the legitimacy of their
interpretations is debated, with mainstream Muslims rejecting them.
- **Evolution of Islam:** Islam, like other religions, has evolved since the seventh
century, with contemporary Muslim authorities condemning terrorist atrocities.

**3. Political Roots of Conflict:**

- **Global Jihadist Minority:** A small minority, represented by groups like al-
Qaeda and the Islamic State, calls for global jihad against the West.
- **Strategies and Ideology:** Inspired by jihadi strategist Abu Bakr al-Naji, these
groups aim to exploit chaos, berate mainstream Muslims, and create total war scenar-
ios against the West.
- **Political Goals of Jihadis:** The goals of global jihadis are seen as political, aim-
ing to defeat the West militarily through strategic provocations.

**4. Overlap Between Grievances:**

- **Political Grievances:** There is an overlap between the political grievances of
terrorists and those of mainstream Muslims who reject terrorism.
- **Root Causes Identified:** A 2004 report commissioned by Paul Wolfowitz iden-
tifies unpopular policies, foreign interventions, and support for authoritarian govern-
ments as contributing to the growth of terrorism.
**5. Complexities of Middle East Conflicts:**
- **Complex Regional Conflicts:** Ongoing wars in the Middle East involve com-
plex alliances and conflicts, often overlapping with post-colonial issues.
- **Humanitarian Consequences:** The brutality of conflicts, such as Saudi attacks
in Yemen, contributes to anti-West attitudes, and the suffering caused amplifies jihadi
narratives.

**6. Way Forward:**

- **Addressing Root Causes:** To counter terrorism, addressing policies causing
grievances is crucial, as advocated by economists like Thomas Piketty.
- **Human Security:** Promoting human rights, including access to basic needs, is
emphasized as a foundation for human security and countering extremism.
- **Global Collaboration:** Prince Hassan of Jordan suggests an expanded context
of security, involving global partnerships to address human rights and promote hu-
man security.