Annastacia Hubbard RELG300 Research Paper with feedback

Running head: ISLAM VS. CIVILIZATION 1
Research Paper
Islam vs. Civilization: Understanding and Dismantling a Psyche, the Entrenchment of its
Ideology & The Ultimate Goal of Establishing Shari’a Law over the World.
Annastacia Hubbard
UCF

ISLAM VS. CIVILIZATION 2
Abstract
The tenets of Islam, as they have been increasingly ingrained into Muslim population’s belief
systems, are being truly internalized. The teachings that are from the Qur’an, as typical Islam is,
have remained unchanged. The same cannot be said for those being brought up the Shari’a
version is creating a growing population/following of people who put Allah first and foremost.
Mohammed’s interpretation, beliefs and teachings all supersede the traditional Qur’an,
Specifically he had a following that believed he was above and more important than everything
or anyone else, an agitate for their so- called “religious rights”. Radicals have twisted the Qur’an
and its original basic religious ideology in various countries, to different degrees, to conform
toward the injustices they perpetrate. This is an analysis that will combine social, cultural, and
political history, as well as, current news to demonstrate how Islamic extremists are trying to
create a lasting political presence. As I found demonstrated in the CIA’s World Book, the higher
percentage the Muslim population is in a given country, the more extremism is seen until it
reaches persecution of non-believers. Religious extremists have emerged in the form of terrorists
or insurgent groups; their sole purpose is to impose the Islamic law onto every society in the
world. What they preach is not a religion. They are not the typical person practicing Islam.
They are the insurgent, and they are practicing what they preach.

The basic concept of internal beliefs theorizes that regardless of where you are, or which
side you are on, if you are told stories and raised to hate at any cost that becomes standard
(Dawkins, 2008). If each generation of descendant’s are taught early enough and the beliefs are
reinforced they are destined to become internalized. Those thoughts are not to be questioned,
regardless of them being conscious or unconscious, they become fixed beliefs. The same would
apply if you were taught to be adaptive, to treat one another with tolerance, and to show others
compassion. Everything we see, experience, think and feel is adjusted to fit with our beliefs. In
other words, our version of reality is a creation of our beliefs (Wells, 2015).
Because these beliefs are based on evaluation, and emotional conclusions of personal
experiences, they are accepted by subconscious as being absolutely true (Wells, 2015). It is seen
clearly seen from the outside that different followers of different religions or ideologies believes
that their understanding, interpretation and principles are correct (Dawkins, 2008). Even here in
the US, for example, we see Capitalism integrated into our society. Being that it is centered on
competition and individualism, the ideology is essentially designed to make the way American’s
live seem normal and inevitable. It’s forced on us by its institutions: school, the church, the
nuclear family, media, and culture (Casey, 2012). Why would we have a need for
advertisements, for example, if they didn’t need to convince us to participate?
There have been widespread discussions of philosophical viewpoints, of Darwinism,
and debates of what a Higher Power means. There is acknowledgement of conversations with
Buddhist monks, with Priests and Pastors, as well as discussions regarding the Patriarchs and the
origins of Judaism. A Muslim practices the Kalima, which summarizes their five beliefs, and is
known as the “brief expression of faith” (Wells, 2015).

Islam is a system of education that is applicable. They see the “belief in” the five tenets
as “meaning they should”. For example, “belief in God”, “means they should” try to perfect
oneself and acquire the best qualities. A Muslim would “believe that God possess the most
perfect and excellent qualities” (Wells, 2015). It is the radical interpretation and teachings of the
Islam tenets, Islamism, that are generating the judicial impact we see taking place in the World
today. Islam is an example that is actually seen in every country to some degree. It is not
intrinsically a religion or a faction. It is a complete system made up of religious, political, legal,
economics, and political parts. As Muslim are seen in countries in increasing populations, the
more we see them working to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves under
Sharia, the Islamic law (CIA, 2007). The higher percentage Muslims are in a given country, the
more extremism is seen until it reaches persecution of non-believers.
Modern day evidence and account of morality and justice are what make theoretical
concepts come alive as ubiquitous real-life choices. Various religions have different belief
systems and fall along different extremes in their implementation of it. There are examples of
wrenching moral dilemmas such as paying ransoms to Somali pirates, maintaining nuclear
weapons as deterrents, good people becoming Nazis, and the immorality of the Bible and of the
Ten Commandments (Diamond, 1997). Christianity is passed down through and interpreted
from Biblical writing. In the Jewish tradition, the rabbinical literature, like the Mishnah and the
Gemara are part of "Torah." The separation off of the Bible from the authoritative hermeneutical
tradition is alien to Judaism, as well as to orthodox Christianity, whether of the Catholic or
Eastern variety. Buddhism or Enlightenment, for example, wouldn’t that then be defined as the
ongoing process of its followers to modify their preexisting relation linking will, authority, and
the use of reason. Islamic religion regards Jesus Christ and Abraham as the second and third

most important men to ever walk the face of the earth (after, of course, Muhammad). Islam also
teaches that the virgin birth of Jesus was real, and the Qur’an makes mention of Jesus and Mary
even more frequently than the Christian Bible (Esposito, 2002).
The view that religion, or more generally common culture, can be manipulated to the
political advantage of the dominant class can be traced back through Marxism to Plato’s Golden
lie. This underlying set of beliefs dominates a society through the unconsciousness, becoming
more and more radical in its political decent. Ideological domination is crucial in terms of
explaining the dominant class gaining control of the subordinate class. However, throughout
time, the changing nature of the ideological dominance doesn’t account for or sustain the
function of maintaining the dominance in the dominant class (Ambercrombie and Turner, 1978).
The unrelenting conditioning that is indoctrination to naturalizing an ideology becomes
ineffective as the society evolves. Throughout history we see that a society cannot rise to real
prosperity without a sound intellectual and moral foundation.
The dominant ideological theory explains why societies like Saudi Arabia will collapse as
soon as the peripheral things that support them are pulled away (Ambercrombie & Turner). This
was the regression the Soviet Union experienced. It's the affect seen by countries everywhere
across time as they reach a peak, stagnate and then weaken (Casey, 2012). This is why the US
has been uniquely prosperous for so long, because it has had such a basis. It seems to have much
more to do with psychology than economics as disintegration begins to ensue in human society
when it is impacted by empire. Sadly, most Christians and "most" of today’s politicians have no
idea about the central tenets of Islam and its very real potential danger; especially to those who
are ignorant about it (the threat of Islam in the past, in the present and in the future). It indeed is
Islamism vs Civilization.

The spread of Islam is not a new phenomenon. Since the death of the prophet Mohamed,
the Arab nation has been struggling to find an appropriate balance between the religious values
and concepts of Islam on one side, and political struggles to acquire the authority and to control
the nation on the other side (Diab [not included in Reference List], 2015). But the spread of Islam in
Western democracies is a fairly new trend and one that is gaining momentum (Spread of Islam,
2015). If there is to be an attempt to comprehend the full intent of current Islamic extremist, who
have vehement conviction in Islamism (imposed Islamic law onto every society in the world),
there needs to be an understanding of Islamic Orthodox directives (Davis, 2006). Fundamental
to their belief, the desire for and willingness that to regain glory, is that it requires a return to
living fully in accordance with the Shari'a strictly and in its totality as they see it (Demant, 2006).
This consists of three main features: a devotion to the sacred law, a rejection of Western
influences (customs, philosophy, political institutions and values), and the transformation of faith
into ideology. The diplomatic, cultural, political, and religious beliefs about Islam have shaped
the responses to world events as the Muslim world has gone from centuries of undeniable power
to more recent tribulations (Demont, 2006). This is a good paragraph. 
Islamism is not a way back for these radicals; (,) but a way of navigating moving forward.
More broadly, they offer an inclusive and alternative way of life for modern persons, one that
rejects the whole complex of popular culture, consumerism and individualism in favor of a faith-
based totalitarianism. When the Muslim population becomes the majority and/or Islam gains
control of a nation (e.g., Taliban in Afghanistan), Shari’a law is imposed on the host society,
which is then locked down against non-Islamic influences, including Christianity (CIA, 2007).
The ideal Islamic state is Saudi Arabia, where Sharia law is the only law of the land and enforced

without mercy (Spread of Islam, 15). Traditional Islam seeks to teach humans how to live in
accordance with God's will, whereas Islamism aspires to create a new order. Good contrast.
Shari’a law is the law of Islam. The Shari’a (also spelled Shariah or Sharia) law is cast
from the actions and words of Muhammad, which are called "Sunnah," and the Quran, which he
authored (Shari’a, 2015). All other religions allow their followers to interpret their holy
scriptures, thereby making them relatively adaptable to secular law, human rights and individual
needs (Source?). According to Islamic law, the Shari’a, apostasy is to be punished with death
(Smith [not included in Reference List], 1991). The Shari’a law covers public behavior, private
behavior and private beliefs. Of all legal systems in the world today, Islam's Shari’a law is the
most intrusive and strict, especially against women (Shari’a, 2015). They are taught that as
Islamic they are predestined to dominate and ultimately govern anyone that doesn’t believe in
Muslim teachings (Bader, 2014).
Islam, like many other religions, has written Holy Scriptures that are believed to be
messages from God. These books include the Torah, Psalms, Gospels and the most common, the
Qur’an (Smith, 1991). The Qur’an isn’t written clear cut and dry, or in chronological order, but
the religion itself does dictate daily living and governments (governmental?) rule. The Qur’an
20:71 (Translated by M.M. Kahn, 1998) speaks to forgiveness; for those that believe in the God
they pray to. There is a scripture in Sunat al’ Imran which states, “Allah has pardoned them.
Allah is ever-forgiving, all-fore bearing”. The Qur’an reads that heaven is “a gift which shall
never be cut off,” while eternity is not at all mentioned regarding hell. Qur’an 11:108 (Translated
by M.M.Khan) says hell’s inmates will come out when God pleases — God’s mercy descends
and encompasses his punishment” (Rashid [not included in Reference List], 2014).

The tenets of Islam, without reading any of the Muslim texts, are entirely nonthreatening.
They are also interestingly, and contrary to the uneducated views held by an alarming percentage
of people, straight forward. The five pillars define the basic identity of Muslims faith, beliefs and
their practices. They are the principles that regulate the private life of Muslims in their dealings
with God (Smith, 1991). They also bond together a worldwide community of believers into a
fellowship of shared values and concerns. They are as follows; 1. There is no god except God;
Muhammad is God's Messenger. The idea of putting something greater above one's self is, even
in a non-Muslim setting, something seen as noble and virtuous. 2. Formal prayer five times
daily, Rather than simply doing the sign of the cross before stepping up to the plate, or before a
performance, or whenever something is needed, the ritualized prayer makes God the center, not
the pray-er. The idea of putting something greater above one's self is, even in a non-Muslim
setting, something seen as noble and virtuous. 3. The contribution of 2.5% of one’s savings to the
poor. This is to instill the sense of "universal brotherhood" and that yes, you are your brother's
keeper, 4. Strict fasting and self-control during the month of Ramadan, where when being taken
seriously is said to give more respect to the faith than Lent to Christians; and 5. A pilgrimage to
Mecca at least once in ones’ lifetime, a sort of a homecoming that further pushes the idea of
universal brotherhood. A people, no matter where they are around the world, are bonded by a
common center and heritage (Esposito, 2002). The Shari’a law itself cannot be altered, but the
interpretation of the Shari’a law, called "figh," by imams is given some leeway (Shari’a, 2015).
The Shari’a teachings themselves thus makes it difficult, if not impossible for Islamic societies to
ever develop into modern, humanistic (?) civilizations.
Western culture relates conflict resolution with peace, associated with the absence of war
or organized violence (Source?). Peace is also central in Islamic precepts; however it is more

associated with justice and human flourishing. Peace (Al-Salam) is one of the names of God
written in the Qur’an Sahih, 59:23 (Translated Kahn, 2012). Conflict resolution draws on
religious values, traditional rituals of reconciliation and inter-communal coexistence strongly
linked to personal and group identities. It is the openness of the Qur’an and the historical
misuses, abuses and misinterpretations of Islamic sources that are responsible for diluting the
once strong emphasis on justice, equality and freedom in Islam as a value system (Abdalla,
2002).
The Sharia law published online by BillionBibiles.com in 2015 lists the following;
• Theft is punishable by amputation of the right hand (above).
• Criticizing or denying any part of the Quran is punishable by death.
• Criticizing or denying Muhammad is a prophet is punishable by death.
• Criticizing or denying Allah, the moon god of Islam is punishable by death.
• A Muslim who becomes a non-Muslim is punishable by death.
• A non-Muslim who leads a Muslim away from Islam is punishable by death.
• A non-Muslim man who marries a Muslim woman is punishable by death.
• A man can marry an infant girl and consummate the marriage when she is 9 years old.
• Girls' clitoris should be cut (per Muhammad's words in Book 41, Kitab Al-Adab, Hadith
5251).
• A woman can have 1 husband, but a man can have up to 4 wives; Muhammad can have
more.
• A man can unilaterally divorce his wife but a woman needs her husband's consent to
divorce.
• A man can beat his wife for insubordination.

• Testimonies of four male witnesses are required to prove rape against a woman.
• A woman who has been raped cannot testify in court against her rapist(s).
• A woman's testimony in court, allowed only in property cases, carries half the weight of
a man's.
• A female heir inherits half of what a male heir inherits.
• Muslims should engage in Taqiyya and lie to non-Muslims to advance Islam
Islamism in totality seeks Divine Ordain with an end state of universal caliphate on earth
(Flanagan and Shear, 2008). The Boko Haram sect in Nigeria are a testament to the efforts
Islamism (Islamist?) ideological domination is having on the subordinate class in an effort to gain
control. Through bombings, terrorist attacks, taking hostages and waging war, these attacks
illustrate how ingrained and radical their way of thinking has become. “Terrorism" meaning
premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-
national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience (Weimann &
Hoffman, 2006). One very common fact is that these insurgent groups or terrorist organizations
prefer to attack “soft targets”, meaning buildings or locations without a lot of security. For
example; open markets, schools, churches even hospitals. The Boko Haram of Nigeria, founded
in 2002 by Mohammed Yusif, has amassed a long list of targeting innocent civilians, women and
children (Source?). I believe the Boko Haram epitomize the very definition of being cowards. This
is my answer to the second theory I posed. Often these terrorists are truants and that is why the
innocent continue to parish from these senseless attacks. This group initially called themselves
Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah’l-Jihad (Nwanze, 2014). The name Jihad actually means
Holy war (Source?). Boko Haram, which loosely translated means “Western education is

forbidden,” started as a rejectionist religious group that sought salvation in a fundamentalist
reading of Islamic law. They are now considered a terrorist organization whose belief is that the
western way of education is full of corruption and riddled with sin (Bader, 2014). By virtue of
this, all of the 36 states in Nigeria have to shun this debauchery and embrace the Islamic system
of education. About 50% of the population is Muslim, 40% are Christian, and 10% follow
traditional African religions. Most Muslims live in North-Nigeria, whereas Christians and the
traditional African religions believers inhabit the southern half of the country. The southern part
of the country has primarily been influenced by western politics, education, culture and economy
(Bader, 2014).
The Islamic system of education is structured in such a way that a child is brought up to
learn and memorize the entire Qur’an in Arabic (not necessarily their native language), while
also learning a few mainstream courses on the side. This in and of itself caused massive internal
strife as one cannot practice the Islamic system of education unless one is actually a Muslim and
Nigeria practices three types of religion: Christianity, Traditional and Islamic (Bader, 2014). The
people towards the South of Nigeria are predominantly Christians while the Northerners are
mostly Muslims. The traditional worshippers are in the minority but they cut across the entire
geopolitical zone in Nigeria. The Boko Haram took full advantage of the strife. Their goal was
not then just trying to abolish western education, there was a bigger picture. They would very
well like to, by any means necessary, force their Islamic religious beliefs and religion on the
whole of Nigeria, and this gave them the perfect opportunity to try to ensure that the Islamic
Education continued country-wide. This was a specific and deliberate threat to the freedom of
choosing their religious affiliation, a right which every Nigerian had been entitled to (Bader,
2014).

The teaching of the Qur’an typically begins at home, furthermore the interpretation over
the years has transformed (??). The leaders supposedly integrate and essentially brainwash these
children’s heads from a young age into believing that fighting a Holy War ensures their “pass”
into heaven (This got confusing: how does this happen “at home?”). Muslim’s therefore see fighting in a
Holy war as fighting for Allah and the reward when they die is heaven. Further, not only are the
children made to believe that fighting the holy war will ensure their entrance into heaven, there is
a second catch. They are told that if they die in the Holy war, it is as a martyr and when they get
to heaven there are seventy two virgins, waiting to warm their bed every day for their eternal
stay. (Clearly an offer any young man would find difficult to refuse) (Sources?). So although the
killing of innocent civilians is specifically forbidden as stated in the Qur’an (Al-Maidah 5:32)
(Kahn, 2012) it is not interpreted as such by those teaching Islamism. Furthermore in the Qur’an
(Al-Maidah 5:34) (Kahn, 2012) says there is exception of killing for those who return [repenting]
before you apprehend them (?). And know that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Anyone who is even casually familiar with the tragic failure of Nigeria’s educational
system, where children completing 10 years of schooling cannot read, would understand why it
was so easy for Mohammed Yusuf, the late leader of Boko Haram, to convince impressionable
youths to leave school and join his ‘jihadist’ train. Boko Haram has over 280,000 members
across the 19 states of North Nigeria, Chad and Sudan. Most members of the sect are young
boys and men who moved from the rural areas to urban areas, in search for a better life (Bader,
2014).
Mohammed Yusuf was a charismatic preacher of violent, extreme Islam, and was
responsible for radicalization of Boko Haram (Bader, 2014). However after the outbreak of a few
terrorist activities in 2008-2009, the Nigerian Government set up a joint military task force in an

effort to confront and address the escalating threat. The military captured Mohammed and held
him captive. Anyone who is even casually familiar with the tragic failure of our education, where
children completing 10 years of schooling cannot read, would understand why it was so easy for
Mohammed Yusuf, the late leader of Boko Haram, to convince impressionable youths to leave
school and join his ‘jihadist’ train. However, they killed him in cold blood under the custody of
the Nigerian military, broadcasting the entire process on YouTube (Bader, 2014). This sect now
had reason to develop a genuine reason to attack, and Abubakar Shekau, emerged as Boko
Haram’s new leader (Bader, 2014). The terrorist engagements escalated, taking their activity to
new statures. This went far beyond the previous system where Shari’a law was implemented in
relation to civil and personal matters only. In these states Shari’a Penal Codes and Criminal
Procedure Codes were implemented alongside the extant Penal and Criminal Codes. The pre-
existing codes were applied in the Magistrate’s and High Courts whereas the Shari’a Codes were
applied in the Shari’a Courts (Bader, 2014). The substantive offenses which are covered in
eighteen chapters of the Penal Code have been condensed into three chapters of the Shari’a Penal
Codes (SPCL).
Retaliations continued, and in 2011 the Boko Haram sect bombed the Nigerian police
force headquarters. Later in the year, 21 people were left dead after an attack on the United
Nations building. A media house, This Day newspaper has been bombed. The Nigerian state of
Jos, which has the highest concentration of foreigners due to its cold climate has been bombed
on countless occasions (Bajekal, 2015). As of this year, church services have also been disrupted
by bombings. Shari’a law is intended ‘to clean the Nigerian system which is populated by
Western education and uphold the law all over the country (Bader, 2015).

Some people might argue that, Mohammed’s death was responsible for their callousness.
But this was a man who had coordinated several attacks on the police force, surely, he was a man
destined to die young. Even at that, it leaves us with a question of how many lives needed to be
lost in order to avenge the death of one man. The slain Boko Haram leader could have been
equalized by the death of one person, a life for another. However they did not stop even after
they had killed 21 people in the UN building (Sources?); isn’t 21 people are more than enough to
equate a single person’s death. Yet they went further with their kinetic operations.
In an audio released in March, a man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar
Shekau appears to address ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi pledging allegiance to the sect,
and also calls on Muslims throughout the world to declare a similar loyalty (Oritz, 2015). April
of 2014 saw Boko Haram militants storm the dormitory of a Government Secondary School and
kidnap 276 girls in Chibok Nigeria (Bajekal, 2015). Although it seemed their activities were out
of spiteful hatred and deliberate brutality it took the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan,
nearly three weeks after the abduction to make a public statement. The next day, May 5th
,
Shekau released a video claiming responsibility for the seizure and promised to sell the girls as
slaves. In hopes of making it difficult for the militants to coordinate attacks, Nigeria turned off
cell phone coverage in the North East area where Boko Haram is now operating. However, it
also make intelligence gathering from phone calls impossible. The Nigerian military strategy also
focuses on forcing Boko Haram out of urban areas into forests, further hindering intelligence
gathering (Bajekal, 2015).
A report released last summer claims the Chibok girls are but a small fraction of the
2,000 and children who have been abducted by Boko Haram since the beginning of 2014. Last
month the Times reported that Nigerian Army had “intercepted and arrested some kingpins and

foot soldiers of supplies of Boka Haram terrorists with hard drugs and other stimulants between
Depchi and Geidam” (Mojeed, 2015). When the Nigerian Military then captured their bases and
training camps, it is evidenced that these so called advocates for Islamic education do not
practice what they preach. Charity begins at home, they say. Security forces also recovered items
like cannabis, chloroform substance and Tramadol among others. Most of those detained cannot
even recite the Qur’an. This further demonstrates that the Boko Haram really do not care solely
about Islam and the word of Allah, (;) what they care about is force through violence and fear to
advance their agenda (Mojeed, 2015). The undercurrents of the ongoing Islamization of politics
by radicals, and their pursuance of Islamism as an international integration plan, as they continue
to engage in conflicts all over, will no doubt shape the future of Syria, Iraq, and the broader
region as well.
In summation, the Islamic religions/cultural views of today’s Western Education, and its
comparison to Islamic teachings, have not changed much in the past few decades. Extremists
still represent the minority within Islam, however ISIS is making headway with each wave of
their revolution (Demant, 2006). Although co-existence with violent fundamentalists is a
hopeless task, the questions Islamists raise are serious and evoke echoes in the hearts of many
more Muslims (Demant, 2006) (But isn’t it true that they are recruiting marginalized youth, irrespective of
being Muslim or non-Muslim?). Post Modern Pragmatic studies seem to have lost momentum and it
is clear not every region is exactly straightforward (?). Inerrancy, forgery and hypocrisy are often
blatant to the outsider. “We have men of science, too few men of God. We have grasped the
mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. The world has achieved brilliance
without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about
war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. If we continue to

develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our
executioner.”- Michael Shermer (Federer & Feed, 2015).
Islamic extremists represent no more than a minority within Islam, Islamic State
insurgents are highly motivated and they have the numbers, the weapons, and the training. Their
recruiting success is staggering. This may be why the current US anti-terrorism’s approach to
confronting and halting these groups has failed thus far (Jenkins, 2015). There is without doubt,
a place for religious law within the secular legal system worldwide. On the other hand, stability
and prosperity can only be ensured where relations between the state and its citizens firmly rest
on the observance of the rule of law (Diab, 2015).
Foreign powers in the Near East region and beyond, including the US (?), have significant
interests in the conflicts. However, without large-scale direct military interventions, which could
easily rebound, none of the foreign powers can give their local allies any guarantee that the
outcome will without doubt be defeat (?) (Jenkins, 2015). Using Russia as the most recent
example we also see that the interests of the external powers sometimes compete with, rather
than complement each other. It seems that American national objectives and a realistic
understanding of enormity the situation are not aligned. The world says it is now willing to assist
in combating ISIS operatives in opposition to Islamism, (;) however, for the past month Russia
has been backing Syria and the Regime of President Bashar al-Assed. This has added a fourth
dimension to an already complicated war where ISIS is also vying for the Syrian territory (Terril,
2015). Russia and the US may not agree on the approach at this time, however the threat is real.
After failed airstrikes this weekend led to the opposition taking over a main supply route, and in
what seemed a seemingly unconvincing move towards support for the US, Russia’s Prime
Minister said Moscow is ready for deep coordination with US on fighting terrorism in Syria.

“We are ready to include the patriotic opposition, including the so-called Free Syrian Army, to
provide it with aerial support, although we were declined information on where, according to US
data, terrorists are located, and where is the patriotic opposition,” Lavrov added (Reuter, 2015).
A day later Russia alternated between blaming Western countries and appealing them to partner
with Russia in what they see as a united front against terrorism. Unlike his Western counterparts,
Russia’s President envisions a united front that includes Mr. Assad maintaining a stronghold in
Syria. He also said the conflict wouldn’t be resolved without the participation of regional
powers, above all, Iran (Sonne & Hodge, 2015). The main task in Syria and Iraq is to “prevent
terrorists from moving their activities to other regions,” Mr. Putin said. “To do that, we need to
unite all forces—the regular armies of Iraq and Syria, the Kurdish militia groups and various
opposition groups ready to make an actual contribution to the defeat of terrorists” (Sonne &
Hodge, 2015). When Putin says that Russia would help Syrian rebel groups fighting against ISIS,
is he trying to build up a justification for the introduction of larger-scale Russian ground forces
into Syria? This is to be seen.
For there to be an effective Islamic conflict intervention, the model has to address
ideology and be mutually beneficial to Muslim communities and individuals. Preliminarily, the
different approaches to conflict that to the current Western and the traditional Middle Eastern
countries should be assessed (Abu-Nimer, 1996). I would suggest Islam should be to restore to
Islam’s traditional principles and values of justice, equality and freedom. I would think that the
rational way for the West would be to try to dry up the support for the extremist groups, halt their
recruiting efforts and destroy the mosques that propagate the Wahhabi-Salafi-Takfiri-Jihadi
cult/doctrine. It most likely will require an internationally created, purposely targeted interdiction
as part of the non-violent package. There are areas of abundant nutrient-rich land that could be

brought under irrigation and hydroponic farming. The deserts of Israel could be transformed into
one massive agricultural zone with the lake being used as a natural asset. Guaranteed high-
quality food production would eventually attract the agro-allied industry and likely would create
further employment. On the back of this there would need to be assistance in building critical
infrastructure, health facilities and educational centers. In its entirety, this needs to be a robust
plan that is clearly benchmarked to give hope to the people The ideal scenario, with the Islamic
State might be to have the US and coalition providing air and humanitarian support. There
would need to be disbarment of any support to the non-radical members of ISIS who want to
defect before they are inevitably capitulated once the intervention plan was in end stage planning
processes. This would ultimately mean shutting down, with very draconian means if necessary,
their ability to spread their message using access to the web to slow the dissemination of
information and stunt recruitment efforts. Great suggestions.
International law provides only limited guidance. The extraterritorial use of force against
non‐state actors raises controversy, as does kinetic operations, the definition of terrorism and the
detainment of prisoners in non‐international armed conflict. International law currently does not
offer a blueprint for this either, nor is there an existing doctrine with established allies that lays
out an agreed upon plan. With current events evolving daily it is difficult to clearly distinguish
between combatants and non‐combatants, war and peace, international and non‐international
armed conflict, and military and law enforcement objectives. At what point should peacekeepers
intervene to protect civilians, and what are ‘normal’ levels of violence in conflict zones? How
many supporters of ISIS could reasonably be killed by a missile strike that would eliminate the
leader (Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi) of ISIS? Does the doctrine continue to include those who finance
them and other supporters? If an international mandate allows military forces to establish a safe

and secure environment, does the containment of violent demonstrations become a military
objective, and which levels of force are permissible to stop a mob when innocent bystanders are
present? (And great questions!) Drawing on the past, viable peace has been achieved when the
capacity of domestic institutions to resolve disputes peacefully overtakes the powerful motives
and means for continued violent conflict. Getting to this point quickly demands the careful
design and coordinated implementation of four mutually reinforcing strategies to moderate
political conflict, defeat militant extremism, inculcate the rule of law, and establish a political
economy that reduces rather than ignites conflict (Lederach, 1995).
Ultimately though, dismantling ISIS- our largest current threat- is only a small part of
resolving the Middle East Region’s spiral into chaos. In 2006, the General Assembly adopted
the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, in which it stressed the importance of
addressing the issues that can give rise to terrorism. These include unresolved conflicts,
dehumanization of victims, discrimination, violations of human rights, and lack of good
governance (Smith, 2011). I believe to prevent an ideological war of civilizations, discussions
with the moderate majority of Muslims, Middle East States, as well as the World leaders, are
more urgent than ever. In the past decade, the United Nations have built on previous experience
and are helping states adapt to an evolving threat that often involves new technologies. Although
the UN feels it is headed in the right direction, they also realize that much progress still needs to
be made at the national, regional, and international levels to realize a comprehensive response to
terrorism (Smith, 2001). I would agree with this.
Bravo, Annastacia! I really enjoyed reading this, and especially loved your suggested strategies and
rationale. Your arguments are logical, well-supported and focused. It comes across as highly professional and
objective. Moreover, it fulfills the requirements of the assignment beautifully on its own. Excellent job.
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