These mainstream counterterror analysts are in agreement: we will never defeat the jihadis if we only “tackle the symptoms and not the underlying causes of jihadist insurgency.”
On that they are absolutely correct. They demonstrate here, however, that they haven’t the first foggiest clue as to what those underlying causes really are, and instead are determined to reapply the same old failed analysis that has already led U.S. foreign policy down innumerable blind alleys.
Katherine Zimmerman, who wrote a recent report for the American Enterprise Institute, says: “It’s easy to say, ‘We’re going to kill the person responsible for making the bomb.’ It is much more difficult to say that our partner government has disenfranchised this group and it’s one of the reasons why this person joins the terrorist group. And now he is the bomb maker.”
So the problem, you see, is that “our partner government has disenfranchised this group,” and these disenfranchised Muslims turn to jihad. If only we stopped disenfranchising Muslims, they wouldn’t turn to jihad. Zimmerman likely doesn’t know it, but in Islamic law the goal of jihad is to establish the rule of Sharia. So what she is recommending is that we give them their goal, the rule of Islamic law, so that they won’t have to fight for it.
Yes, it’s absurd, but it’s exactly what we did in both Afghanistan and Iraq: we fought wars to install Sharia Constitutions in both countries, ignoring the fact that Sharia directs Muslims to wage war against and subjugate non-Muslims. Did it lessen the jihad? Obviously not.
John Allen, who heads the Brookings Institution, said that the problem is “a development issue, much more than a counter-terrorism issue.”
“A development issue,” i.e., we have to help Muslim countries develop, that is, give them money, and that will end the jihad.
But jihad activity doesn’t actually arise from poverty. The New York Times reported that “not long after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001…Alan B. Krueger, the Princeton economist, tested the widespread assumption that poverty was a key factor in the making of a terrorist. Mr. Krueger’s analysis of economic figures, polls, and data on suicide bombers and hate groups found no link between economic distress and terrorism.” CNS News noted in September 2013 that “according to a Rand Corporation report on counterterrorism, prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2009, ‘Terrorists are not particularly impoverished, uneducated, or afflicted by mental disease. Demographically, their most important characteristic is normalcy (within their environment). Terrorist leaders actually tend to come from relatively privileged backgrounds.’ One of the authors of the RAND report, Darcy Noricks, also found that according to a number of academic studies, ‘Terrorists turn out to be more rather than less educated than the general population.’”
By the way, the American Enterprise Institute has always been clueless, and the Brookings Institution is thoroughly compromised and Qatar-funded. Yet these are the voices that are heeded and studied at the highest levels, while I am derided and dismissed. The only thing is, I am right and they are wrong, but by the time anyone in any position of authority realizes that, it is likely to be far too late.
“War on jihadists won’t end unless West tackles root causes: experts,” AFP, December 15, 2018:
Western powers fighting Islamist groups around the globe are condemned to a never-ending battle if they only tackle the symptoms and not the underlying causes of jihadist insurgency, experts say.
“Beyond the tactical victories on the ground, the current strategy is failing,” said Katherine Zimmerman, who wrote a recent report for the American Enterprise Institute entitled “Terrorism, Tactics and Transformation: The West vs the Salafi-Jihadi Movement.”
“Every soldier and intelligence analyst that has worked on this problem understands what is happening,” Zimmerman told AFP.
That is just about the exact opposite of true.
“They understand that what they are doing is a temporary solution. It’s ending the immediate threat but not stabilizing or moving us forward. The problem comes down to policy and politics,” she noted.
“It’s easy to say, ‘We’re going to kill the person responsible for making the bomb.’ It is much more difficult to say that our partner government has disenfranchised this group and it’s one of the reasons why this person joins the terrorist group. And now he is the bomb maker.”…
“The West is on the road to winning all the battles and losing the war,” warned Zimmerman….
On that, Zimmerman is actually right.
In a report last month on the resurgence of IS as a clandestine guerrilla group, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said that “while the United States and allied governments have weakened some groups like the Islamic State, many of the underlying causes have not been adequately addressed.”
Those root causes include a “fragile state with weak or ineffective governing institutions” in areas affected by jihadist activity, where the Islamists can establish a sanctuary, the CSIS experts said….
At a conference this week in Washington, retired Marine general John Allen — who once commanded US forces in Afghanistan and now heads the prestigious Brookings Institution — said the West had to get ahead of the issue and ask, “Where should we be looking for the next problems?”
“We should spend a great deal more time looking at those areas that are in fragile or failing states,” said Allen, who also served as presidential envoy to the international coalition battling IS.
“We have to recognize the hotspots where the human condition prompts the radicalization of large sectors of the population,” he added.
“Often we join the conversation when the process of radicalization has been in place for quite a long time.”
Allen noted that the problem is “a development issue, much more than a counter-terrorism issue.”…
If those grievances were not taken into account, they warned, the jihadist groups were sure to be back.
Sam says
Why can’t these people read the Koran?
christianblood says
These are pro-islamist, even pro-jihadist ultra secular liberals who are now running the Western world! Global islamic jihadism led by Saudi Arabia and the neo liberal imperialism led by the US are one and the same thing! They are the two heads of one anti-Christ diabolical coin which is rooted in Satan!
Indiana Tom says
LOL.
No, the NWO Liberal Elite just hates Western Civilization and sees Islam as another wrecking ball.Notice that the liberal LGBT community is being preyed upon by the Muslims. The liberals will tolerate this for now. But both the Liberals and the Muslims will turn on one another once the Conservatives are out of the way.
Russia has lots of Muslims, I always thought Kazan and other areas were interesting and they push the same tolerant agenda the West does.
Interesting article.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Russia
christianblood says
Indiana Tom
You made some good points. I can assure you Indiana that Muslims in Russia will NEVER be a big problem for Russia because the problem that currently exists between Islam and the West has a very precise spiritual roots that are completely irrelevant to Russia today! Please watch the brief video clip below as this Danish investigative Catholic journalist sums it up perfectly!
http://katehon.com/video/main-problem-west-spiritual
gravenimage says
christianblood has said before that Muslims murdering Russians in Jihad terror attacks is not a concern. I have to admit that unlike him I actually consider this a *very* bad thing.
Kay says
Heaven help us!
If they have all the money and stuff they could want, they wouldn’t want the equality and philosophy that we want. This is evident already by looking at the oil rich countries. One needn’t be an expert to see it or to wonder why those rich Arab countries aren’t taking in the hourdes of migrants. Even so, the “experts” argument will be believed and repeated by almost everyone I know!
Moshe says
Mr. Spencer, thank you for sharing your perspective. However, I would like to remind J-W readers of President Obama’s penetrating insights in September, 2016.
“There is no doubt,” said the first American leader to have first-hand knowledge of Islam and its practices on three continents, “and I’ve said repeatedly, where we see terrorist organizations like al Qaeda or ISIL — They have perverted and distorted and tried to claim the mantle of Islam for an excuse for basically barbarism and death.”
“But what I have been careful about when I describe these issues,” continued President Obama in the final year of an extraordinary two-term Administration, “is to make sure that we do not lump these murderers into the billion Muslims that exist around the world, including in this country, who are peaceful, who are responsible, who, in this country, are fellow troops and police officers and fire fighters and teachers and neighbors and friends.”
It was not for nothing that this world-historic leader received the Nobel Peace Prize at such a young age. The impact of President Obama’s transformative leadership will be felt for many decades, from Iran to Paris, and as a symbol of Hope and Change even in Minnesota.
Kay says
Definitely feeling it. All sorts of bad ideas implemented and divisive philosophies promoted. Yep. Definitely feeling it.
Ernie says
Musa ?
somehistory says
Can you say “balderdash”? Find a dictionary, look up the meaning, apply to what you have written….time and again on this site.
b.a. freeman says
wow. was that sarcasm? in my old age, my sarcasm meter has fallen down, and it can’t get up. i pray that U were *not* serious.
assuming that U *were* serious, however, i have a question for U, Moshe: how much do U know about islam?
gravenimage says
I’m so tired of this tedious trolling from “Moshe”.
Michael Copeland says
“The History of Disenfranchised Groups, from Mohammed to ISIS”
Suggestion for new book title.
gravenimage says
Ha ha
jayell says
“It is much more difficult to say that our partner government has disenfranchised this group and it’s one of the reasons why this person joins the terrorist group.”
Sorry, I don’t understand this. To have been ‘disenfranchised” they would have been denied a vote or otherwise barred from playing an appropriate part in the political process when they should legally have been included. Is that the case? Or is this simply a case of them having an inappropriate desire to control the place?
gravenimage says
Yes–their being “disenfranchised” just means that they have not been allowed to violently take over.
Bob Smith says
American RICO statutes (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) were intended to go after the mafia. The acts of Islamic mullahs and jihadis clearly falls into the same pattern as the mafia. The only difference being, Islam’s claim of an oddball form of “religious legitimacy”.
The US should use the RICO statutes to, declare Islam, a criminal enterprise. Then close Islam down as it presently exists in the US.
RICO allows the government to follow crime and money. Then, arrest all, and confiscate anything in its path.
You can be sure the movement of money for jihad is widespread. You can be sure the incitement and communication between mullahs and mosques is wide spread. You can also be sure there is foreign involvement. The RICO statutes were made just for this type of activity.
Use a small army of CPAs and attorneys to investigate every jihad attack. Follow 100% of the money back to its source. Track anyone involved, in any way. Then use the RICO statutes to jail, confiscated, and shut down all involved. That includes:
M1 – Shutting down mosques involved in any jihad attack.
M2 – Arrest mullahs involved.
M3 – Follow, and confiscate, all jihad money back to its source.
Kay says
+1
somehistory says
This is true. If they would only apply the law the way it was written to be applied.
The authorities have used it against the AB…which has a “church” meeting and a “book” they use, just like islam…only the AB is not as bad…they are bad, but islam is so much worse.
RICO could be used, and should be, but likely never will be.
Indiana Tom says
Just give them all a Jobs Program. Fix everything.
gravenimage says
Yes–jobs programs work so well for those who have no interest in working…
Anjuli Pandavar says
Robert,
“these are the voices that are heeded and studied at the highest levels, while I am derided and dismissed. The only thing is, I am right and they are wrong, but by the time anyone in any position of authority realizes that, it is likely to be far too late.”
—
No honest, knowledgable person could disagree with the first half of the sentence. I’m just not so sure about the clause, “by the time anyone in any position of authority realizes that.” I think plenty of people in authority have been well aware of that for some time. The problem they face, I’d suggest, is the implications of acknowledging that you’re right. Each of them wants to get through their glory days in office with as little fuss as possible, and accepting what you say means having to take actions, effective actions, very unpopular action, whether they have Muslim constituents or not, but especially if they have, at whatever level. The name of the game today is keeping on the right side of Muslims, even if you see your cities go to ruin, your women and girls raped, your fellow-citizens murdered on your streets, your coffers bled dry, and even your military infiltrated. None of these can outweigh the imperative to get to, stay in and return to office.
I am confident that they are well-aware of your work, and well-aware that you are right, but none of them wants to be the first to say so. These are, after all, professional cowards.
infidel says
Very well said… in fact what U say is entirely applicable to the Indian context too..
b.a. freeman says
Each of them wants to get through their glory days in office with as little fuss as possible …
—
your last sentence says it all, Anjuli, but it should be that the people who serve as legislators and executives in the various governments in the u.s. actually gave a s**t about the nation and their fellow citizens. given that many people don’t believe in any god and are only looking out for number 1, however, the rest of your post is dead on. as i have noted before, the republic is much like wile e. coyote seconds after he runs off the edge of the cliff; its legs are still pumping, but its end on the bottom of the canyon far, far below is inevitable. were there no left and no islam, it would take us some 30 or 40 years to re-educate people so that they understood freedom well enough to be able to defend it by themselves, but since there is no moral reason to do so, and both the left and islam do exist, the task is impossible, and the republic is doomed.
thebigW says
Pretty much agree, but I’d say:
“the WHOLE DAMN WEST is much like wile e. coyote seconds after he runs off the edge of the cliff; its legs are still pumping, but its end on the bottom of the canyon far, far below is inevitable. were there no left and no islam, it would take us some 100 to 150 years to re-educate people so that they understood freedom well enough to be able to defend it by themselves, but since there is no moral reason to do so, and both the left and islam do exist, the task is impossible, and the republic is doomed.”
Otherwise, seems about right.
mgoldberg says
Before my copy of Jihadist Psychopath arrives, I’m reading Anat Berko’s book ‘The Path to Paradise’ which is her study of the suicide bombers of Israel in the 90’s and then during the intifada of 2000-20007.
Clearly it has nothing to do with elevating the economic conditions, as these social liberals at these institutes imagine. It has nothing to do with failure to thrive because the only failure that is important is the failure of Islam to dominate and rule all others. If we give them that, then we still have them fighting over which of the rules over each other, and we are relegated to irronically, the oppressed by all of Islam.
What a sad scenario. Fortunately, it will likely become a worldwide revolt against this much as Pres Trump has generated the similar one in governance in the US. Other populations are sick of the subterfuge in globablism and this is coming.
b.a. freeman says
i am *certain* that civil war is coming to a nation near each of us, mgoldberg, but i suspect that 1 or 2 formerly free nations will first have to submit to islam before citizens of other nations understand the danger and arm themselves to rid themselves of leftist traitors. so long as things change relatively slowly, the frog will stay in the pot and cook; it will be *other* frogs in other pots who figure out what happened once the first pot of frogs completes cooking.
gravenimage says
+1
WPM says
All 911 Jihads live well in the West went to college on our dime in Germany and America ,had all the education ,money, and position to do well in the western world they chose Jihad instead. There leader Bin Laden was the son of a billionaire who had a degree I believe in engineering who could have remain a rich pampered man if he stayed away from Jihad and work in his fathers company. Education , money ,position on the economic ladder in life has nothing to do with Jihad, Islam following it to the letter of the law in the Koran, and Hadiths is what powers Jihad. If you had a sadistic murderer ,or a rapist, or a child molester and are gaven a lot of money or an education would you change your behavior? Or would money, power ,position, give you more opportunity to indulge in your taste for violence? Should you be keep out of a civilized country and if you seeks to move there deported, if you are a citizen of that country should you be lock up for the safety of other law abiding citizens ? Or Given a pass to your bad behavior in the name of religious freedom this only encourages bad behavior .
somehistory says
It isn’t a “weak state” that causes moslims to terrorize and torture and persecute others. moslims just take advantage of weakness to take control of the “state” and use what they have learned in their barracks, from their clerics, and their nasty, evil book to take power and control and dominate and dictate those who are weak.
The “disenfranchised” argument is just so much nonsense and garbage. In countries where islam dominates, the worst of the worse have all the “rights and privileges” and the population, esp Christians, have nothing but trouble.
In the story on the protests in MN by the moslims with jobs at Amazon, …those causing the trouble have jobs, make money, have been granted “rights and privileges” that other workers don’t have They have sensed “weakness” and are using this to demand even more “rights and privileges.”
These so-called experts are not experts on islam and moslims and their proclivity for making trouble, mayhem, terror and war. Violence, lying, rape and murder are bred into them; they have a blood-lust and no matter how many “rights and privileges” they are granted, they demand more, and nothing keeps them from raping and killing.
gravenimage says
Exactly, Somehistory.
No Muzzies Here says
The root cause is an ideology that promotes rape, pillage and murder of infidels. If the root cause is not eradicated, the rape, pillage and murder will continue.
gravenimage says
Yes.
nicholas tesdorf says
Matthew 15:14: “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
They should read now ‘The History of Jihad from Muhammad to ISIS’.
gravenimage says
“Experts” warn that US will never defeat jihadis without giving them vast amounts of money and political power
……………………
Cringingly appease evil and everything will be just peachy…really…
ronyvo says
“experts” in what?!!
Well, they are experts in ignorance, or experts in lying, or experts in twisting facts.
It is amazing that those “experts” are so proud of their brainless remarks. Those “experts” do not realize that weird suggestions would encourage more criminals to flourish.
Frederick King says
Give them death en masse. Blockade their islamic republic. Allow no migration. Sell them food and such, but no credit, no technology. Let them evolve and live with others, or let them breed out of existence.
sidney penny says
“hey demonstrate here, however, that they haven’t the first foggiest clue as to what those underlying causes really are, and instead are determined to reapply the same old failed analysis that has already led U.S. foreign policy down innumerable blind alleys.”
Sharp analysis from Robert Spencer
WPM says
+1
Throwing money at people following an insane death cult will not change their beliefs in their death cult. It will only finance better ways to have us get killed or enslaved by them .
thebigW says
Googling around I found a Katherine Zimmerman “hypnotherapist” ha ha, appropriate. Anyway, found that Zimmerman was (or still is) an associate at “FARAS” stands for “Future for Advanced Research and Studies”. Here’s their blurb:
Future for Advanced Research and Studies (FARAS) is an independent think tank founded on April 4, 2014 in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
FARAS seeks to enrich public dialogue, support decision-making and enhance academic research pertaining to future trends that currently constitute a real problem in the Middle East region. In light of instability and unpredictability, the overarching goal of FARAS is to help ward off future shocks regarding these developments.
In this context, FARAS monitors, analyzes and assesses current and potential trends, non-traditional ideas and impending phenomena that contribute to shaping the future in the short-term, especially in the Gulf region. FARAS weighs the envisaged alternatives to deal with trends utilizing advanced methodologies and scholarly activities that engage academics, researchers and public figures from the U.A.E. and abroad.
https://futureuae.com/en-US/SimplePage/Item/4/about-faras
Maybe some of that Gulf oil $$$$ is helping lubricate her “expertise”
martin says
Yet more experts in stupidity,ignorance and delusional thinking – ie UNFIT FOR PURPOSE.