One of the quandaries facing terrorism analysts today: the jihadist’s dilemma of whether to promote collective or individual action among potential adherents. Although this may appear to be an obscure issue, so specific as to interest only counterterrorism analysts, it is actually a widely applicable and underappreciated topic that could directly impact the type of terrorism more…
An End to “Home-Grown” Jihadist Terrorism?
In a movement rife with contradictions, the lines between collective and individual action are blurred
By Robert Wesley, 30th January 2008
An Urgent Call for a New Dialogue between the West and the Islamic Civilization
War of the Minds
By Sohail Mahmood, 27th October 2007
Soul searching, an atmosphere of toleration and respect and a dialogue among the civilizations (the West and Islam). Mutual respect, justice and equity and the rejection of bigotry and hatred; all basic humans values that the West and Islam have in common. Why then is a dialogue between these two civilizations so hard?
By Mohammad Darawshe (for Safe Democracy)
Mohammad Darawshe analyzes the relatively low percentage of Arabs in the Israeli work force and proposes two possible causes: a generally prejudiced Israeli society or certain Arab traditions that prevent educated young people from reaching their full potential. He explains that the Israeli economy would benefit from making better use of its university-educated Arab citizens. He notes that stereotyping and segregation on both the Arab and Jewish parts will only make the situation worse, and asks which factor, if not both, will change first- the Jewish-Arab discrimination or Arab culture?
The Resurgence of Ultra-Nationalism
By Arshin Adib-Moghaddam (for Safe Democracy)
Arshin Adib-Moghaddam writes on the Western incentive to demonize Iran in its media in order to justify the possible use of military force. Reviewing Iran’s history with the Jewish people, Adib-Moghaddam points out that Ahmadinejad’s attempt at historical revisionism is a consequence of the resurgence of ultra-nationalism. In Adib-Moghaddam’s opinion, now more than ever it is necessary that we all work on debunking historical distortions and building an inclusive dialogue that cuts across cultural barriers.
Arshin Adib-Moghaddam explains how the recent remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI, linking Islam to violence, both show a lack of regard for the heightened sensitivity on both sides of the cognitive divide, as well as establish a new exclusionary discourse, simplifying and falsifying complex issues. Although the Pope claimed to be adhering to the standards of reason and scholarly discourse, his comments have not helped to render Islam in anyway more comprehensible or accessible, and have only ignored the complex multifarious and multi-dimensional imminence of Islam in international society. In Adib-Moghaddam’s opinion, in order to truly establish a scholarly discourse based upon reason, we must be certain to avoid all religious and political bias, and take on the exploration of complex and unfamiliar territory in an open way.
