State-sponsored Terrorism in the Syrian War
In the past decade, Syria’s stability and economy have plummeted to the ground. Terrorism is rampant in the failed state, with the regime of Bashar al-Assad itself perpetrating violence against the civilian population and destroying the state’s infrastructure. Asadullah Khan Wazir, a broadcast journalist, notes that through the use of state-sponsored terrorism, the Syrian regime aims to prevent the population from supporting the rebel groups and offering an alternative regime. As a result, 83,500 civilians have been killed by Bashar al-Assad’s regime and its allies since the Syrian war first started.
What is the BDS Movement Against Israel?
Palestinians and their supporters have realized that the most effective way of fighting against Israel is the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) movement.
By boycotting Israeli products and pushing for divestment and sanctions on Israel, the movement aims to exert international pressure on Israel, the world governments, and international institutions to dismantle Israel’s apartheid wall, ensure the rights of the Palestinians, end the colonization of Arab lands, and impose the UN Resolution 194.
Muhammad Hamza Tanvir explains that since the drive is a threat to Israel and its allies, the Western media has labelled the movement as “racist”. He further explains that supporting the movement will not only benefit Palestinians but also the people of the countries backing it.
The Rising Tide of Islamophobia in France
In the last decade, Islamophobia has been on the rise in France. The situation worsened after the French president, Emmanuel Macron, called Islam a “religion in crisis”, defended blasphemous caricatures, and declared that he would make Islam “compatible” with French republican values and liberate it. The author notes that although the French government claims that it introduced policies like the hijab ban and the religious disassociation in schools, offices, and public areas, to curb radicalism, separatism, and Islamism, they marginalized the entire Muslim community in France. The author asserts that France witnessed a 53% increase in religious violence last year, and if the gap between the French Muslims and the rest of France continues to increase, the Muslim population will become easy targets for terrorist organizations.
Domestic Violence is Domestic Terrorism
Domestic violence consists of all the facets of terrorism. Hence, referring to it as “abuse” or “violence” undermines the severity of the terroristic acts. The author explains that the term “domestic terrorism” is well suited for these horrendous acts. She uses Pakistan as a case study, at the end, to highlight how the societal structure reinforces domestic terrorism.
FATF Grey List: Pakistan’s Acid Test
Pakistan has once again failed to satisfy the Paris-based FATF with regards to the actions it is taking against terror financing and money laundering. The problem is the lack of international support. Even allies like China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the Gulf States refused to back Pakistan in the arena. The only supporter was Turkey.
The Identity Crisis of Muslims in Non-Muslim Societies
The antipathy and insensitivity in non-Muslim societies have driven Muslim minorities to the brink of an identity crisis. This piece gives reference to China, India, and the United States.
Is Military Force Effective in Responding to a Terrorist Insurgency?
Military force becomes mandatory when a deadly insurgent group, the likes of an ISIS or the LTTE, is present in a country. However, contemporary history reaffirms that the role of the military should be limited to defeating an insurgency militarily only. In other words, military force is one part of a larger counterinsurgency framework and is thus a means to an end. A true victory is achieved when the causes of an insurgency are addressed.
The UAE’s War Against the Islamic State (ISIS)
Since ISIS’s inception, it has devastated the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and beyond. The UAE rose as an unlikely hero in the global war against ISIS. This paper highlights the country’s commitment against the Islamic State as well as the specific steps it has taken against the terror group.
The Definition of Terrorism & Its Ambiguity
To date, the concept of terrorism is without a universally accepted definition. This has severe practical repercussions in global politics. The paper analyzes various terrorism studies in order to highlight the definitional issues of terrorism.
What Are the Parallels Between Boko Haram and the TTP?
The paper compares the ideology, emergence, rise, and demise of terror groups Boko Haram (in Nigeria) and the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan).