The Birth of the Islamic State and its Impact on European Youth

2021 ◽  
pp. 18-32
Author(s):  
Farhad Khosrokhavar
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Young People ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Major Event ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Violent Action ◽  
Foreign Fighters ◽  
European Youth

Since 2013, a major event occurred in the Middle East. A jihadi group founded a new state in June 2014 with a territory that was, at its heights, as vast as the United Kingdom under the name of the Islamic State in Syria and Sham (ISIS), and later on, simply the Islamic State (IS). Chapter 1 reveals how this event was a sea change in jihadism, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe and, more generally, worldwide. IS brought about a great transformation in the minds of European jihadis. European societies had not undergone major ruptures between the years 2000 and 2014, but the number of young people who became jihadi warriors, either internally (the so-called homegrown terrorists) or externally (the so-called Foreign Fighters) grew disproportionately between 2013 and 2016 in comparison to the pre-IS period. A key element was holding a territory as a state. It fundamentally changed the capacity of this jihadi organization. One essential characteristic of IS was its apocalyptic nature. The creation of the new caliphate in 2014 after a ninety-year interruption aroused new hopes in many parts of the Sunni world, traumatized by the failure of nationalism and pan-Arabism and eager to rekindle its lost glory. The attraction of radical Islamic utopias promising revenge against inhospitable European societies pushed a tiny minority of them toward violent action in the name of Allah, in particular after the creation of IS that galvanized them in that sense.

The New Islamic State

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Khosrokhavar
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Imagined Community ◽  
The West ◽  
Patriarchal Family ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
The Creation

The creation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Sham (ISIS) changed the nature of jihadism worldwide. For a few years (2014–2017) it exemplified the destructive capacity of jihadism and created a new utopia aimed at restoring the past greatness and glory of the former caliphate. It also attracted tens of thousands of young wannabe combatants of faith (mujahids, those who make jihad) toward Syria and Iraq from more than 100 countries. Its utopia was dual: not only re-creating the caliphate that would spread Islam all over the world but also creating a cohesive, imagined community (the neo-umma) that would restore patriarchal family and put an end to the crisis of modern society through an inflexible interpretation of shari‘a (Islamic laws and commandments). To achieve these goals, ISIS diversified its approach. It focused, in the West, on the rancor of the Muslim migrants’ sons and daughters, on exoticism, and on an imaginary dream world and, in the Middle East, on tribes and the Sunni/Shi‘a divide, particularly in the Iraqi and Syrian societies.

scholarly journals Kaum Muda, Intoleransi, dan Radikalisme Agama

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
Zuly Qodir
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Young People ◽  
Religious Life ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Terrorist Acts

Youth, Intolerance, and Radicalism are serious problems facing Indonesia and other countries including in the Middle East. This phenomenon has sprung up over the last five years with various events that have surfaced. There are many reasons for the emergence of radicalism among young people and intolerance. However, there are several alternatives also to reduce the movement of intolerance and radicalism of youth. Religious movements that come from mass organizations such as Muhammadiyah and NU can be expected to reduce it. The most phenomenal phenomenon is the emergence of ISIS Islamic state of Iraq and Syria with various violent activities in Iraq and Syria affecting religious life in Indonesia. The movement of intolerance and radicalism arises because of the lazy tolerance. The essay below wants to reflect on the continuous occurrence of terrorist acts of terrorism radicalism in our country. The following essays are based largely on literature reviews written on the basis of reports or by others, as well as observations from the authors

ISG is unlikely to infiltrate refugee flows to Europe

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Economic Crises ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Group ◽  
Foreign Fighters ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Inter State ◽  
Security Crises

Subject ISG infiltration of refugee flows. Significance Refugee arrivals in Europe in 2016, large if not at 2015 levels, will put yet more pressure on the EU, which is already struggling to address economic crises, political polarisation and inter-state divisions on how to address security crises in Ukraine and the Middle East. Suspicions have grown that among the refugees are operatives of the Islamic State group (ISG). Impacts ISG's foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria will seek to expand their relationships with existing extremist networks in Europe. Speculation over ISG's presence within refugee flows will continue, especially as far-right parties continue to perform well in elections. The EU-Turkey deal may slow refugee flows, but the existing numbers of refugees will continue to attract suspicion from authorities.

Culture of Global Terrorism

2020 ◽  
pp. 234-248
Author(s):  
Ubongabasi Ebenezer Israel
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Young People ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Global Terrorism ◽  
State Actors ◽  
State Group ◽  
Stimulating Factor

Terrorism has become one of the most recurring decimals across the globe, creating tension in every quarter. This anomaly has necessitated both state and non-state actors to engage in concerted efforts to curtail it. Hence, this study seeks to evaluate the prevalent acts of terror perpetrated by the Islamic State group across their area of jurisdiction for about a decade now. The work traces its emergence, linking it with its spread and recent plethora of activities. The research makes use of secondary sourced materials. The chapter suggests a global cultural re-orientation, especially among young people, good governance in the Middle East, commitment over terror war by stakeholders, etc. The author believes that this essay would serve as an invaluable resource to enhance scholars of conflict in the war against terror as well as serve as a stimulating factor for further studies on the issue.

scholarly journals CHALLENGES POSED BY THE IRAQI, SYRIAN AND LIBYAN CRISIS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

2017 ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
József Kis-Benedek
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Key Words ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Security Risks ◽  
East European ◽  
Foreign Fighters ◽  
The Eu

Povzetek: Leta 2016 in predvsem 2017 so se na kriznih območjih Bližnjega vzhoda in Severne Afrike pojavile nekatere pozitivne spremembe. Spodbuden dogodek je bila uspešna akcija iraških in pešmerskih sil, ki jih podpira zahodna koalicija, proti tako imenovani Islamski državi, katere rezultat je bila izguba ozemlja ekstremističnih organizacij. Avtor analizira vidike kriznih območij, in sicer Iraka, Sirije in Libije, ki se nanašajo na posledice nerešenega vprašanja migrantov. Poleg kriznih območij predstavlja tudi situacijo tujih borcev in varnostna tveganja, ki jih povzroča njihova vrnitev v domovino. Navaja ukrepe, ki so jih sprejele EU in njene države članice, da bi preprečile in obvladale grožnjo, ki jo predstavlja vračanje tujih borcev. Ključne besede: Bližnji vzhod, Evropska unija, migracije, Sirija, Libija, tuji borci. Abstract: In 2016, but mainly in 2017 some positive changes happened in the crisis areas of the Middle East and North Africa. Encouraging event was the successful actions of Iraqi and Peshmerga forces supported by the western coalition against the so called Islamic State, the result is the loss of territory of the extremist organizations. The author analyzes the perspectives of the crisis areas, namely Iraq, Syria and Libya, referring to the effects of the unresolved migrant issue. Besides the two crisis zones, he also presents the situation of foreign fighters and the security risks posed by their return. He specifies the measures taken by the EU and its member states to avert and handle the threat represented by returning foreign fighters. Key words: Middle-East, European Union, migration, Syria, Libya, foreign fighters.

From Isolation to Radicalization: Anti-Muslim Hostility and Support for ISIS in the West

2018 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAMAR MITTS
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Local Level ◽  
High Frequency Data ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Online Behavior ◽  
The West ◽  
The Past ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Foreign Fighters

What explains online radicalization and support for ISIS in the West? Over the past few years, thousands of individuals have radicalized by consuming extremist content online, many of whom eventually traveled overseas to join the Islamic State. This study examines whether anti-Muslim hostility might drive pro-ISIS radicalization in Western Europe. Using new geo-referenced data on the online behavior of thousands of Islamic State sympathizers in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium, I study whether the intensity of anti-Muslim hostility at the local level is linked to pro-ISIS radicalization on Twitter. The results show that local-level measures of anti-Muslim animosity correlate significantly and substantively with indicators of online radicalization, including posting tweets sympathizing with ISIS, describing life in ISIS-controlled territories, and discussing foreign fighters. High-frequency data surrounding events that stir support for ISIS—terrorist attacks, propaganda releases, and anti-Muslim protests—show the same pattern.

The Jihadists from Europe in the Middle East: Phantom and Real Menace

2015 ◽  
pp. 18-29
Author(s):  
A. Yashlavskii
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Muslim Population ◽  
Syrian Civil War ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Internet Media ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Foreign Fighters

The issue of foreign fighters from Europe who travel to fight on the side of radical jihadist groups in the Middle East (primarily in Syria and Iraq) is growing in importance in view of the threat those militants who return home present for their countries. On the other hand, although almost every armed conflict in the countries with predominantly Muslim population attracts foreign volunteers. In particular, the Syrian civil war became the main point of attraction of jihadists from all over the world. Syria is considered by some experts as an “incubator” for Islamist militants. According to some estimates, dozens of thousands of foreigners from about 100 countries participate in Syrian war, including several thousands of citizens of Western nations (Europe and Northern America). Most of foreigners join to the most infamous extremist groups like Islamic State (aka ISIL, or ISIS) and Front al-Nusra (Jabhat al-Nusra). The phenomenon of European Jihadists is connected to a broad range of objective and subjective problems. At this time, the information technologies – particularly, social Internet-media – play a huge role for recruiting young European Muslims by extremists. Together with the battles on Syrian or Iraqi grounds the struggle for minds and souls of people goes in the Internet. At the moment, the extremists generally win this battle. It is necessary for the governments and the civil society of the European countries work out a strategy and effective measures for struggling against a potential menace from the militants returning home from Jihad. No less important is to take preventive actions against the recruiting of young Europeans into the militant groupings.

An Analysis of ISIS Propaganda and Recruitment Activities Targeting the Turkish-Speaking Population

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 105-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suleyman Ozeren ◽  
Hakan Hekim ◽  
M. Salih Elmas ◽  
Halil Ibrahim Canbegi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Middle East ◽  
The Other ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
The World ◽  
Recruitment Activities ◽  
Foreign Fighters

AbstractThe “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) is the main source of instability, not only in Iraq and Syria, but also throughout the Middle East. The instability poses a danger for the other parts of the world because of the influx of foreign fighters to the region. Extremists have taken advantage of the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Syria, with Syria in particular serving as a magnet for thousands of foreign fighters from more than 90 countries. While most of these ISIS combatants are men, many women have left their countries behind to join the “caliphate” and support its cause. Social media have played a key role in luring women to join ISIS. This study therefore analyzed the ISIS organization’s social media propaganda and grass-roots recruitment activities aimed at women in Turkey. The results of the analysis provide important information about the strategies that ISIS uses to spread its ideology.

The Kaka‘i: A Religious Minority in Iraq

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedehbehnaz Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Religious Thought ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Political World ◽  
Recent Interest ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Official Recognition

The religion of Kaka‘I has been an under-researched religion in the Middle East but recent interest in Iraq has changed this situation marginally. A new discourse in the contemporary social and political world has brought back the notion of religion and the appropriation of religious thought to the forefront of social polemics. Following continuous murders, displacements and threats by the militant Islamic group, the Islamic State (IS), as well as their marginalization in Iraq, Kaka‘i declared themselves to be Muslims. They sought improvement in the quality of systems existing in region, the creation of democratic secular regimes that believe in democracy and rights of other peoples and religions, as well as the application of human rights principles in the constitutions of states in which they reside. In addition, Kaka‘i are motivated to gain official recognition of their civil statutes and identity and they want to end the situation in which they are considered as a religious minority. Kaka‘i and Islam are incompatible as religions. Such actions bring to mind the historical and modern perspectives that form the basis of religion with regard to the development of this religious minority under the pressure of their environment.

Middle East jihadist states will struggle to survive

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Group ◽  
Territorial Strategies ◽  
Foreign Fighters

Subject Jihadist groups' territorial strategies. Significance Islamic State group (ISG) is just one of a number of jihadist entities using the security vacuum in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond to seek territorial control and establish government according to a purist understanding of Islam. Other groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Boko Haram are seeking similar goals in Syria, Yemen and Nigeria, respectively. Impacts The risk of ethnic and sectarian cleansing will increase. International efforts to strengthen central governments and their militaries will rise. Loss of territory in Iraq and Syria will reduce ISG's appeal to foreign fighters. Resource constraints mean public service provision in jihadist-run areas will be poor.

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