بالعربية Pусский Hassan Abbas, NESA Center After a prolonged political deadlock, Iraq finally has a new prime minister: former Iraqi intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi, an independent candidate. The task before him is gigantic, with challenges ranging from economic crisis due to coronavirus and collapsing oil revenues, to deteriorating relations with the U.S. and a worsening Read More >
ISIS
How does Coronavirus Affect Stability in the Middle East?
Sam Marrero, NESA Center The validity of coronavirus data coming out of Middle Eastern countries may be uncertain, but most Middle Eastern countries – save Iran and Turkey – appear to avoiding a catastrophe of causalities. Take for example, Egypt, an under-resourced country of almost 100 million, which as of May 8th 2020 reported a Read More >
Irregular War: ISIS and The New Threat From The Margins
Over the past two years, several books have appeared focusing on Islamic State (IS). These have largely focused on its history, its ideological appeal or its propensity to make use of social media to spread its message of hate. Other publications have examined the subject matter from a military perspective – that of counter-insurgency. In Read More >
Countering ISIS Online Propaganda
In the recent years, ISIS’ propaganda has become a major point of discussion among academicians and policy makers alike. The propaganda churned out by the group has reached massive proportions and has produced a certain quality just due to the numbers. Slick videos, graphic designs and remarkable photo shopping skills are characteristic of the group’s Read More >
ISIS Lone Wolf Attacks: Implications for Indian Security
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has faced many military losses in the middle east. It lost its last stronghold of Libya, Sirte and many key towns and cities in Iraq and Syria such as Fallujah, Kirkuk, Manbij and Dabiq among others. In this backdrop, since mid-2016, the group has called for increased Read More >
Countering Violent Extremism
What Are Common Myths About CVE? 1-Extremists have some unique signs that can be Identified easily. ´Contrary to popular Perceptions, extremists can be ordinary citizens well-educated, well-off employed , have a family and don’t suffer from poverty, marginalization, alienation or psychological disorder . ´They can blend in society and hide their convictions even from their Read More >
ISIS Administrative and Territorial Organization
The structure of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is very much a product of the organization’s ideological evolution and a reflection of its intended future. It is at once an organization seeking to remake the global order and one that operates quite similarly to states in the system it is trying to Read More >
Counterterrorism and Youth Radicalization in Jordan: Social and Political Dimensions
Abstract: Youth radicalization by Islamist extremists poses a domestic security challenge for Jordan, a key U.S. ally and crucial link in the campaign against the Islamic State. Jordanian policies aimed at neutralizing this jihadi threat have long emphasized bolstering the government’s policing capabilities and control over society. Yet ongoing terrorist attacks carried out by Jordanian youths Read More >
What is Causing Radicalism in the MENA?
The emergence of Al-Qaeda as a global terrorist organization carrying out devastating strikes across the USA, Europe, Middle East and Africa shed a spotlight on terrorism, and by extension on radicalism. The attention has intensified with the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), its atrocities and the regional surge in Read More >
The particular role of religion in Islamic State
Religion, specifically Islam, is central to the identity of Islamic State (IS). It was on the basis of religious doctrine that IS separated from Al Qaeda. It is on the basis of his belonging to the same tribe as the Prophet Muhammed that Al-Baghdadi has legitimised his claims of leadership of the Muslim ummah. Moreover Read More >