“Islamic Terrorism”?
Last week at the Republican Convention, Rudy Guliani commented that, “For four days in Denver, the Democrats were afraid to use the term “Islamic terrorism.” I imagine they believe it is politically incorrect to say it. I think they believe they will insult someone. Please tell me, who they are insulting if they say, “Islamic terrorism.” They are insulting terrorists!”
I am not interested in entering into the partisan politics of this debate, but I do want to address the question of terminology and ask whether that is the most prescriptive debate for us to have as we think about the struggle against violent extremism.
To begin with, let’s take a moment and actually look at the term “Islamic terrorism”. Some people will say we should call it “Islamist terrorism”, others will suggest we say “violent Islamist extremism”, and there are those who say we should call it “violent extremism” and not equate it with any particular religion. While this is not an insignificant debate, it is incredibly boring and unhelpful to the average American who is trying to understand how and why individuals strap bombs to their bodies and blow themselves up in the name of religion. It doesn’t help shed light on why 22 year olds with masters degrees flew planes into buildings on 9/11 and it hardly explains why a group of kids from Tetouan, Morocco traveled to Spain to attack the train lines.
We call the individuals who undertook these attacks “Islamic terrorists”, or at least some variation of that. But, we have a different picture of who these individuals were once we remove the masks of religion and ideology that are cultivated by violent extremists. We know that they weren’t always terrorists and that their lives were ridden with humiliation, alienation, and desperation. Groups like Al-Qaeda offered them a sense of empowerment, an outlet for adventure, belonging, status and opportunity, and the chance to be a hero. They provided these “at risk” youth with an escape from their downtrodden lives. But, is this really a phenomenon exclusive to Muslim communities, or is it something we see in youth communities around the world?
Extremist Islamism is one form of radicalization that is of particular concern, but it is by no means the only example of radicalization we see around the world. For instance, in the United States, youth are radicalized through the gangs like the Bloods and Crips; in Latin America, young people get recruited by gangs like Mara Salvatrucha and non-Muslim terrorist groups like Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC); in Sri Lanka, the process takes place through the Tamil Tigers; and in Eastern Europe at risk young people are at times recruited into right-wing groups like the neo-Nazi movement.
So, let’s stop focusing on how we call the problem and instead pay attention to what it actually is: the process by which illicit actors hijack impressionable young people and exploit them for criminal purposes. This is a youth issue!
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Children of Jihad by Jared Cohen – www.ChildrenofJihad.com
Opinion Leaders Comments on Children of Jihad
“Children of Jihad is a very smart, insightful account of a young Jewish-American (and Rhodes Scholar) trying to understand his generation across the line in the Middle East.”
- Tom Brokaw, NBC News
“An enlightening and entertaining story that is part travelogue and part cultural analysis. Gaining insights through simple conversation, Cohen paints a compelling picture of the politically awakened youth of the Middle East.”
- Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor
“This young gutsy writer knows that the East-West struggle is being fought over the cafe tables of the Near and Middle East. Do the youth of the Islamic world dream of an engineering degree from Michigan State or a martyr’s death? This young American has had the moxie to sit and listen for hours at those tables. In the words of the poet, Jared Cohen has taken the road ‘less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.’”
- Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball” and NBC’s “The Chris Matthews Show”
“Jared Cohen has written a unique book. Imagine a young American circulating in the back alleys and cafes of Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Palestinian refugee camps, and Iraq meeting other youth on their terms and asking pointed questions about their aspirations, concerns and attitudes toward their rulers and toward the United States. There are breathtaking descriptions of flirting with danger and fascinating dialogues that provide deep insights into the politics and sociology of four key countries in the Middle East. It is a fascinating read which I recommend to anyone who wants to develop a better understanding of the [Middle East] and Arab world.”
- Frank Carlucci, former Secretary of Defense
“In this remarkable book Cohen provides a fresh perspective on the Middle East. Seen through the eyes of the youth, and poignantly describing their hopes and despairs, Cohen provides a timely commentary on the troubled relations between America and the Middle East. Looking at the habits and passions that binds the youth across the cultural divide as well as the politics that divides them, this book provides much food for thought for Americans and Middle Easterners alike.”
- Vali Nasr, author of The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam will Shape the Future
“In this engrossing book, Cohen artfully combines his natural confidence and flair as a writer to produce a revealing look at the youth of Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Iraq. Riveting from start to finish.”
- Kirkus starred review
“Cohen’s accounts are sharp and his intentions admirable.”
- Publishers Weekly
“Astonishing”
- Washington Times
“Children of Jihad” succeeds at breaking down some inaccurate generalizations and replacing them with more accurate generalizations, and it does a good job of humanizing Middle Eastern youth by telling their individual stories”
- Haaretz
“An important book to read”
- Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC “Morning Joe”
“I admire Jared Cohen’s courage, vigor and insight. He has been a wonderful source of information and understanding about Iran, particularly youth attitudes and ideals. His advice is helpful in fostering better relations, better public diplomacy and progress toward greater democratic freedoms and openness in Iran.”
- Senator Richard Lugar, Ranking Member on Senate Foreign Relations Committee
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How ’bout “US Terrorism”??
Terrorism works by taking a noble idea and corrupting it with distortions.
A poorly educated religious fanatic takes the words of a holy book, combines it with the desire to rid his country of foreigners and convinces someone with even less education that strapping explosive to himself and killing others is “the will of God.” This is morally bankrupt. One has to wonder who is more at fault here, the bomber, or the misguided “teacher” who advocates death as some kind of
salvation.
The war in Iraq takes a noble idea and distorts it.
The idea is “Democracy in the Middle East.”
Poorly educated leaders in the US use the mantra of spreading democracy, or defending freedom to take over the oil fields of a sovereign nation. They wrap
themselves in the flag, and establish a facade of religious righteousness. You can almost hear the strains of “Onward Christian Soldiers!” But God weeps at the mixing of war and holiness. In truth, the reasons for the war invasion are distorted. The good will of the soldiers betrayed. There is no doubt here that unenlightened leaders have misused the power of the military. You cannot force
“freedom” on a nation at the end of a rifle.
There should be always something “on fashion” and whats on fashion these days is the word “Islamic Terrorism”, “Islamic fundamentalism”..blah blah blah, the designers of this fashion is the U.S. Media and because they have made lots of expenses for this new mode, they will not get rid of it very soon in future, and they are some who fallow this fashion like Mc Cain, they need it and they need advertisement for that to keep it, they do what they benefit like any other fashion designer!
People are basically “Irrational”, especially when it comes to political power. They are emotional and dominated by myths and stereotypes, and politics is really the manipulation of symbols. For example, a crowd is like a wild beast that can be whipped up by charismatic leaders who know how to play on peoples fear and needs in order to do thier bidding!!!
)
The first practitioner was Mussolini, the founder of Fascism in Italy. Followed by Hitler. And then comes a soft-spoken Muslim fundamentalist, Bin Laden, got an irrational hold on thousands of followers believing the myth that America is the enemy of Islam!!!
Islam is the peace religion. The problem is not with the Quraan, or the teachings. But the HUGE problem is with the people themselves and how they use Islam’s teachings incorrectly to serve thier self intrests. To me the Idea of “Jihad” is the same as any group of people who share common believes and want to spread them. But the big problem is when those leaders use irrationalist techniques and start believing thier own propaganda and lead thier nations to war!!! econimic ruin, or tyranny!!!
And Irrationalis exsits even in the most developed and advanced countries where we see sreaming crowds and leaders striking heroic poses!!!
I want to add another important point that in the Middle East and sadly people don’t know what Democracy means even here, even me! We sometimes say words and don’t realize the complexity and the deeper meanings of those terms!!!
“Spreading Democracy” or “giving the people thier freedom” are not correct terms in my opinion! But helping other people to live a better life is the best thing to say! I totally agree that if Iam in a sitiuation where I can decide to end violence and killing of people, I should do it. The U.S did a good job in terms of freeing the Iraqis from Saddam’s control and violence, but “Spreading Democracy” is a funny thing to say in the middle east! Change Comes from inside ALWAYS, it HAS to be from inside at the beginning at least and it takes generations and decades for a society to get used to it and learn it and not every society is able to or ready for democracy!!! It is like allowing someone to have sex after 30 years of being forbidden!!! Imagine what would happen!!!