Network Theory and Grand Strategy

A number of analysts claim that the rise of various “networks”—from transnational terrorism to global supply chains—necessitate changes in grand strategy. But only recently have scholars turned to tools and concepts from network analysis to study grand strategy. This chapter reviews the different meanings of “networks” in the broader literature on grand strategy. It argues that attention to the network structure and relational dynamics of international politics—whether in terms of alliances and partnerships, economic flows, interorganizational ties, or other kinds of connections—will help us understand both the causes and consequences of grand strategy. Much of grand strategy is concerned with the manipulation or formation of international networks. Since such ties and flows also form a major part of the topography of international politics, understanding network dynamics is crucial to making sense of the opportunities and constraints that shape grand strategy.

The Theories of Transnational Terrorism, Relative Deprivation and Fundamentalism in Terrorism Act: The Case Study in Indonesia

This research aims to describe the concept of transnational terrorism, relative deprivation and fundamentalism in various terrorism acts that occurred in Indonesia. The research method is qualitative and the type of research is explanatory that explain the cause of terrorism acts that influence by the global actors, fundamentalist that reject the changes and also satisfy the expectation in many aspects in the country from economics to the politics. The results of this research indicate that most of the terrorism cases in Indonesia has various motives starting from their mission in bringing the country led by a caliphate to enforcing the regulations of the country based on the Islamic teachings. Viewed from the perspective of social movements, framing, and resource mobilization strategies seen in the rejection‟s movements of the Transnational Islamic Organization. In addition, the political opportunity structure in the reformation era makes the system and political structure existed became more open. It has provided an opportunity for Transnational Islamic Organization to conduct its movement in criticizing the government.

DOES DISPARITY IN INCOME AND CONSUMPTION EVER INCITE TERRORISM IN AFRICA?

Does disparity in income and consumption incite terrorism in Africa? To answer this important question, we investigate the empirical linkages between inequality and terrorism by separately regressing income and consumption inequalities on four indicators of terrorism: domestic, transnational, unclear, and total over the period 1980–2012. Employing a negative binomial regression across a panel dataset covering 46 African economies, the following findings are established. First, both income and consumption inequalities have decreasing impacts on all terrorism measures—with the exception of uncertain terrorism (the impact of which is negligible). Second, both income and consumption inequalities exert more statistical influence on transnational terrorism than domestic terrorism. Third, income inequality exerts more statistical weight on terrorism measures than consumption inequality across the model specifications. Last, the non-trivial impact of confounding variables—such as the lagged value of terrorism, surface areas, and conflicts—are validated across the terrorism models. In line with these empirical outcomes, policy implications and suggestions for further studies are offered.

Perempuan dan Teror: Memahami Peran Kombatan Perempuan dalam Kampanye ISIS

At this time, writing about women in the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria campaign has focused on their role as supporters. While in acts of terror, ISIS often turns women into combatans in ISIS terror acts. The study was conducted with a content analysis method for documents discussing the acrion of ISIS in Iraq, Syria and Southeast Asia and analyzed by transnational crime theory. Since the development of globalization and the advancement of information, technology communication, terrorist groups have been easier to create transnational terrorism networks because they are supported by various technological conveniences. ISIS makes use of these modern tools to spread their ideology, find and recruit new members from all corners of the world more easily. In recent years ISIS suffered a major defeat that changed the map and strategy of terror. This article concludes that women have been incarnated as subjects in ISIS international terrorism. The use of women as combatants in ISIS terror attacks is unusual. Thoughts that ISIS has implanted since 2015 produced various results by doing new terror attacks with women as perpetrators. Deradicalization then carried out by military and non-military ways. The military way to attack ISIS actions with military weapons, while the non-military way by changing the thoughts of the perpetrators.

THE USE, ABUSE AND MISUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

The concept of human rights has confronted a series of challenges over the years. Yet, the concept has retained considerable appeal, an appeal that is reflected in the various ways in which the concept has been, and continues to be, used, abused and misused. This article is divided into two sections: the first section defines and discusses the key terms of use, abuse and misuse; the second section briefly addresses two of the major challenges currently facing human rights: (1) the responses to transnational terrorism on the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks; and (2) the proliferation of states of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part I International Law and Global Security, Ch.4 Transnationalization of Security

This chapter explains how ‘security’ is in a process of ‘transnationalization’, namely it is becoming a cross-border issue. Thus, in the twenty-first century, the primary examples of sources of ‘insecurity’—such as transnational terrorism, transnational crime, mass migration, cross-border environmental hazards, and problems of energy security—are no longer perceived as ‘domestic affairs’. The ensuing processes of transnationalization are naturally also processes of transnationalization of and by international law. The chapter then analyses three major framings used for the transnationalization of security, namely, ‘war’, ‘crime’, and ‘risk’ and their conceptualization in international law. It discusses the two major challenges faced in the transnationalization of security by international law: the problem of jurisdictional dysfunctionalities under international law and the problem of applying international human rights law to transnational security cases. Finally, the chapter evaluates the contribution of international law to the process of the transnationalization of security.

Afghan Peace Process: Regional Complexities and the Role of China

In the wake of the 9/11 'war against terrorism‘, Bush‘s vision of 'Pax Americana‘ and 'Axis of Evil‘ played a crucial role in shaping the global interactions among states. It resulted in the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) coalition forces, against transnational terrorism. However, almost two decades later, they neither could eradicate terrorism from the global map nor are anywhere close to achieving the Pax Americana. An analytical study in this paper shows that their exit from Afghanistan, even if it is not a complete exit, will not be an easy task without losing a strong geostrategic foothold in this sensitive region where Russia, China, and India are already looking for opportunities to develop their dominance for regional power aspirations. The theoretical model — comprising the theory of complex interdependence and the regional security complex theory — aptly explains the complexity of Afghanistan‘s situation. With regards, this paper focuses on the different facets of conflict resolution in Afghanistan, focusing on Pakistan and China‘s interests and other regional players. China has also emerged as one of the noteworthy players in this context since a peaceful Afghanistan has a long-term impact on the smooth progress of the Belt and Road Initiative. This complex interdependence of multiple players in the Afghanistan peace process has turned it as one of the most thin-skinned and almost unattainable goals. Nevertheless, with various geostrategic and economic interests at stake, we must recognize the efforts being made to bring the peace process to finality.