In 2003, the United States, as part of an effort to transform the politics of the Middle East region, invaded and occupied Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. The move was tragic, both for people in the region and in the U.S. It resulted in the violent deaths of almost 150,000 Iraqis and over 4,000 U.S. troops, along with other coalition members. It also created the conditions for al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) to become active. (Ironically, then-President George W. Bush had forged a connection between Saddam and al-Qaida as a pretext to gain American support for the invasion.) AQI later renamed itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “The origins of ISIS,” said Phyllis Bennis, “are in fighting against the US occupation.” West not only supported ISIS in Iraq against Saddam but also weaponized and funded ISIS against Bashar al Assad government. Same is the case with Saudia that supported ISIS against Assad regime but now they ISIS has started biting their masters. All these countries are paying heavily for their misadventures. As David Cameron put it, five Brits a week travel now to fight for the IS. Cameron is worried about ‘intolerant ideas’ creating a climate in Britain in which extremists flourish. The IS has made inroads in Saudi Arabia where 431 were arrested last week. The suicide attack by IS in a Turkish city killing 30 is being interpreted as the spillover of the Syrian war in Turkey.This has lessons for Pakistan. First, feeding snakes in the hope that they will bite the adversary’s children only and spare one’s own, is an unrealistic policy. As Pakistan’s own experience shows, terrorists have frequently turned against their erstwhile sponsors. It is highly important to take action against terrorists without discrimination. Second, no campaign against terrorism can succeed if it is not accompanied by an equally vigorous drive to root out extremism which provides a breeding ground for terrorism. While the military action in North Waziristan and Khyber has been fairly effective, little is being done to root out extremism from the urban centres. As Cameron has pointed out the induction to terrorism starts with a process of radicalisation. This can happen while studying in a seminary funded by sympathisers of terrorist networks or through books included in the mainstream curriculum. What is required is a regulation of the madaris and a thorough review and liberalisation of mainstream curriculum.
pk.shafaqna.com
