DOCSLIB.ORG

The Future of ISIS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Future of ISIS Analysis This article examines hypotheses regarding the fate of ISIS, based The Future of ISIS: Strengths on studying and analyzing the conditions, mechanisms, and general features that characterized the organization and Weaknesses during the preceding period. This may help frame the discussion of future scenarios and the main Dynamics of the “Virtual variables of each of them. Caliphate” and the Gap in Neither international and regional policies, nor Arab Counterterrorism Strategies regimes, learned the lesson. They did not seek out the actual and objective causes and circumstances behind the rise of ISIS. The thinking of Dr. Muhammad Abu Rumman counterterrorism strategies and November 2020 policies was only to achieve military victories and security work both on the ground and virtually. 1 The Future of ISIS: Strengths and Weaknesses Dynamics of the “Virtual Caliphate” and the Gap in Counterterrorism Strategies Dr. Muhammad Abu Rumman November 2020 3 Abu Rumman, Muhammad “The Future of ISIS: Strengths and Weaknesses ... Dynamics of the “Virtual Caliphate” and the Gap in Counterterrorism Strategies” - Amman: Friedrich Ebert Foundation, 2020 Published in 2020 by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Jordan & Iraq FES Jordan & Iraq P.O. Box 941876 Amman 11194 Jordan Email: [email protected] Website: www.fes-jordan.org Not for Sale © Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the original author. They do not necessarily represent those of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung or the editor. • Cover and internal design: Kamal Qasim Contents Contents Introduction 7 “ISIS boom” – Analytical review of the phenomenon 9 Analysis of strengths and weaknesses “after the collapse of the ISIS state” 13 New dynamics for ISIS 19 Conclusion 21 5 Introduction 1 Introduction On 27 October 2019, US President Donald continents of the world, nothing has remained Trump announced that the leader of the so- of the Islamic State except mobile groups of called Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, fighters who have turned to guerrilla warfare had been killed in the Syrian governorate in the desert stretching between the Iraqi and 1 of Idlib in an American special operation. Syrian borders, and thousands of ISIS followers This came after years of intense security have been killed and detained in prisons and tracking by the largest and most prestigious camps in both Iraq and Syria. intelligence services in the world. During this time, the most dangerous man in the world The organization did not acknowledge the was able to run and hide while his followers defeat of the project and its mission, whether around the world carried out the agenda of in its bloody rule in Iraq and Syria or in the the organization he led, spreading terror from actions that swept the world in the name of America to Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa, the caliphate and led to the murder of many as well as the Arab world. people on various continents. On the contrary, its leader, al-Baghdadi, and his successor, Al-Baghdadi was not at the height of his power Abu Ibrahim al-Qureshi, believed that, while when he was killed in hiding. At the time of they had lost a battle, the war was ongoing. his death, his organization - which literally And while the organization also lost its state, terrorized the world for nearly five years and the stark irony is that the armed groups who was at the forefront of media attention and the pledged allegiance to the organization, and monitoring of experts on security, terrorism, considered its leader a caliph, continue to and strategic studies - had lost the caliphate declare loyalty to the Islamic State. it had established in Iraq and Syria. While its ideological and political influence extends to all On the financial level, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on 7 August that ISIS had funds amounting to $300 million, 1 Speech on video by the US President announcing the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: https://tinyurl.com/ which remained with it after the removal of yxz44ya3. 7 Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Jordan & Iraq - The Future of ISIS: Strengths and Weaknesses Dynamics of the “Virtual Caliphate” and the Gap in Counterterrorism Strategies the «caliphate» in Iraq and Syria. In a report reflect deeply and accurately before we rush he submitted to the Security Council on the to prefer a particular scenario or direction threat of the organization, Guterres said that among the organization’s expected directions the drop in its attacks «could be temporary.» in the coming period. Some believe that the He said he was certain that the organization ISIS venture has ended, while others, on the could direct these funds to support terrorist contrary, believe that it is entering a new acts inside and outside Iraq and Syria through season that may be no less dangerous and informal money transfer companies. It also has consequential as before. To date, questions, financial self-sufficiency through a network of debates, and narratives about the rise of the supporters and groups affiliated with it in other organization and the secret of its attraction- areas in the Middle East, Africa and Asia2. its ability to integrate and recruit tens of thousands of followers from various ethnicities, What ISIS accomplished during the period of cultures, and languages-remain a source its rise and growth represents a “quantum of discussion and debate among scholars, leap” in the ideology, strategies, and operating experts, and politicians. The topic of the future theories of terrorist groups, not only Islamist of the organization is no less complex and groups but also various ideological and multifaceted than the issues surrounding the nationalist groups. The organization turned organization’s spread, rise, and boom. the previous dynamics on their head and created an unprecedented situation in terms In this article, we will examine the expected of the rise of sources of security threats in the hypotheses for the fate of the organization, world and the region.3 This means we must based on studying and analyzing the conditions, mechanisms, and general features that characterized the organization during the preceding period. This may help frame the discussion of future scenarios and the main variables in each of them. 2 See: “In numbers…The United Nations Reveals Total Wealth of Daesh”, Sky News Arabia, https://tinyurl. com/y59sgfn8 3 Mohammed Abu Rumman, “The Secret of Attraction: ISIS Propaganda and Recruitment,” in the book The Secret of Attraction: ISIS Propaganda and Recruitment, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Amman, 1st edition, 2014, pp. 9-16. 8 “ISIS boom” – Analytical review of the phenomenon 2 “ISIS boom” – Analytical review of the phenomenon The topic of ISIS goes beyond the issue of Iranian influence and Shiites.4 This is despite establishing an extremist religious state in the fact that, as part of its embrace of Islamic Iraq and Syria, since these states or authorities heritage, the organization was eager to link the have historic precedents, whether the Islamic (claimed) caliph to the lineage of the Prophet experience (the Taliban model in Afghanistan Mohammed (pbuh). While the organization is similar to some degree, as are the emirates had established a rudimentary state, including established by Islamic groups in parts of Asia its interpretation of the provisions of Islamic law, it was established only in the “ideological and Africa). ISIS has transcended the borders imagination” of Islamic extremists. It was able of the “establishment of a state in a specific to attract thousands of educated people, region” to become a global phenomenon, scholars, Europeans, and talented people or more precisely, a global political and in the West, including doctors, students, ideological message. The organization has teachers, and engineers.5 Paradoxically, overturned global theories on the operation while ISIS viewed women from an extremist of terrorist groups, brought about a leap in perspective, even by the standards of Islamism, methods of recruitment, mobilization, and the organization also attracted thousands of political propaganda, greatly affected regional women, among them hundreds of educated and global security, and restored and revived European, Arab, and Muslim women, some of traditional historical concepts, such as the whom held leadership positions. One of them, caliphate and the strict application of Sharia. Dr. Iman al-Bagha, was considered the main At the moment, we find many contradictions in the “ISIS phenomenon.” For example, 4 Hassan Abu Hanieh and Mohammed Abu Rumman, The “Islamic State” Organization: The Sunni Crisis despite adopting global rhetoric, its tone was and the Struggle of Global Jihadism, Friedrich Ebert sectarian and focused on the Sunni crisis, Foundation, Amman, 1st edition, 2015, pp. 26-67. 5 Richard Barrett, “Beyond the Caliphate: Foreign and its key leadership was Iraqi and hostile to Fighters and the Threat of Returnees,” Soufan Center, translated by Amal and Shannan, Idrak Center for Studies and Consultations: https://tinyurl. com/y36699cr. 9 Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Jordan & Iraq - The Future of ISIS: Strengths and Weaknesses Dynamics of the “Virtual Caliphate” and the Gap in Counterterrorism Strategies mufti in the organization.6 ISIS developed its ideology of Al-Qaeda, which deemphasizes militant media discourse to become
Load more

Recommended publications
  • United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals
    UNITED STATES ARMY COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS Before TOZZI, COOK, and MAGGS1 Appellate Military Judges UNITED STATES, Appellee v. Private First Class LYNNDIE R. ENGLAND United States Army, Appellant ARMY 20051170 Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Hood James Pohl, Military Judge Colonel Clyde J. Tate, II, Staff Judge Advocate (pretrial) Colonel Mark Cremin, Staff Judge Advocate (post-trial) For Appellant: Major Timothy W. Thomas, JA (argued); Colonel Christopher J. O’Brien, JA; Captain Frank B. Ulmer, JA (on brief). For Appellee: Captain Nicole L. Fish, JA (argued); Colonel Denise R. Lind, JA; Lieutenant Colonel Mark H. Sydenham, JA; Major Christopher B. Burgess, JA; Captain Nicole L. Fish, JA (on brief). 10 September 2009 ---------------------------------- MEMORANDUM OPINION ---------------------------------- This opinion is issued as an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as precedent. TOZZI, Senior Judge: An officer panel sitting as a general court-martial convicted appellant, contrary to her pleas, of one specification of conspiracy to commit maltreatment, four specifications of maltreatment, and one specification of indecent acts with another, in violation of Articles 81, 93, and 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. §§ 881, 893, and 934 [hereinafter UCMJ]. The convening authority approved the adjudged sentence of a dishonorable discharge, three years confinement, and reduction to Private E1. The convening authority also waived 1 Judge MAGGS took final action in this case while on active duty. ENGLAND – ARMY 20051170 automatic forfeitures and credited appellant with ten days of confinement credit against the approved sentence to confinement. On appeal, appellant claims, inter alia, that (1) the military judge abused his discretion when he rejected her guilty plea; (2) appellant’s trial defense counsel were ineffective for calling Private (PVT) Charles Graner as a presentencing witness, in the alternative; and (3) information about an Article 15, UCMJ, was erroneously included in the staff judge advocate’s recommendation (SJAR).
    [Show full text]
  • The Abu Ghraib Convictions: a Miscarriage of Justice
    Buffalo Public Interest Law Journal Volume 32 Article 4 9-1-2013 The Abu Ghraib Convictions: A Miscarriage of Justice Robert Bejesky Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/bpilj Part of the Human Rights Law Commons, and the Military, War, and Peace Commons Recommended Citation Robert Bejesky, The Abu Ghraib Convictions: A Miscarriage of Justice, 32 Buff. Envtl. L.J. 103 (2013). Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/bpilj/vol32/iss1/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at Digital Commons @ University at Buffalo School of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Buffalo Public Interest Law Journal by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ University at Buffalo School of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE ABU GHRAIB CONVICTIONS: A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE ROBERT BEJESKYt I. INTRODUCTION ..................... ..... 104 II. IRAQI DETENTIONS ...............................107 A. Dragnet Detentions During the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq.........................107 B. Legal Authority to Detain .............. ..... 111 C. The Abuse at Abu Ghraib .................... 116 D. Chain of Command at Abu Ghraib ..... ........ 119 III. BASIS FOR CRIMINAL CULPABILITY ..... ..... 138 A. Chain of Command ....................... 138 B. Systemic Influences ....................... 140 C. Reduced Rights of Military Personnel and Obedience to Authority ................ ..... 143 D. Interrogator Directives ................ ....
    [Show full text]
  • A Rhetorical Analysis of the Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse Scandal Elizabeth Jane Durham Smith Wayne State University
    Wayne State University DigitalCommons@WayneState Wayne State University Dissertations 1-1-2010 The nI tersection Of Image, Rhetoric, And Witnessing: A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse Scandal Elizabeth Jane Durham Smith Wayne State University, Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations Recommended Citation Durham Smith, Elizabeth Jane, "The nI tersection Of Image, Rhetoric, And Witnessing: A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse Scandal" (2010). Wayne State University Dissertations. Paper 85. This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wayne State University Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@WayneState. THE INTERSECTION OF IMAGE, RHETORIC AND WITNESSING: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ABU GHRAIB PRISONER ABUSE SCANDAL by ELIZABETH J. DURHAM SMITH DISSERTATION Submitted to the Graduate School of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPY 2010 MAJOR: COMMUNICATION Approved by: ________________________________________ Advisor Date ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ © COPYRIGHT BY ELIZABETH J. DURHAM SMITH 2010 All Rights Reserved DEDICATION Had it not been for these individuals, this journey would never have been undertaken or seen through
    [Show full text]
  • Taguba Annex 25-26
    ~ .~ : DATE: 28 JAN 04 FROM: SAC , ABO GRHUYEB PRISON COMPLEX (CID) TO: DIRECTOR , USACFC , USACIDC , FORT BELVOIR , VA COR, HQOSACIDC / /CIOP-ZA// COR , 10TH MP EN (CID) (ABN) (FWD) / /OPS!! COR , 3D MP GROUP (CID)//OPS// SJ1\, 410 LNO CT D , CJTF- 7 (FOR FURTHER DISTR IBUT ION) COR , 8 a OTH r1P BDE COR, 320TH MP BN COR , 20STH MI BDE SUBJECT: CID REPORT - 7TH STATUS/SSI - 0003- 04- C1 D~ 83130- 6CI SC2R/S Y2B/ 5Y2 01 SY2 E/ SX1 / 5M3 / SXS 1 SX7 DRAFTER: PIERON, TYLER M. RELEASER: ARTHUR , PAUL UNCLASSIFIED - FOR OFFICIA~ USE ONLY 1. DATES/TIMES/LOCATIONS OF OCCU~RENCES: . 10 SEP 03/0001 - 9 NOV 03/2400; WING 1A. I ' I' AREA, BAGHDAD CORRECTIONAL FACI~ITY , ABU GHRUYEB. T r 15 Jan 04/1520 - 19 Jan 04/2400; UNKNOWN L .,. IU\j BAGHDAD CORRECTIONAL FACILITY , ABU GHRUYEB, IRAQ 14 JAN 04/0656 - 14 ,TAN 04/1115; ABU GHRUJ OFFICE; ABU GHRUYEB I IRAQ DATE/TIME REPORTED: 13 JAN 04/221'1 3. INVESTIGATED BY: SA PAUL D. ARTHUR, 5474; SA Tl PIERON, 6128; SA ~~NORA 1EM, 5914; SA JAMES BOERNEF - . f; SA WARREN WORTH, 5434; SA SCOTT BOBECK , 5684 4. SUBJECT: 1. (ADDJ GRANER JR., CHARLES ALLAN; ; M; WHITE; ; PITTSBURG, PAl 37~ MILITARY POLICE COMPANY, CUMBERLAND , MD ~150?; CT; (DEPLOYED TO ABU GHRUYEB PRISON, IRAQ); (ASSAULT) , 'ECENT ACTS) (DERELICTION OF DUTYj (FAILURE TO OBEY AN OFU REGULATIONJ (CRUELTY AND MALTREATMENT) (CONSPIRA=~J V~ E~) ~' ENDANGERMENT J -; -; - . -~= 2. (ADD) FREDERICK II, IVAN LO~JELL; S ND t'-L ; M; WHITE; OAKLAND, IvJD; 372 L,p' POLICE COMPANY , CUMBERLAND, MD 21502; CT; (DEPLOYEC' GHRUYEB PRISON, IRAQ); lASSAUITj lINDECENT 1I,CTS I (DERELICTION OF DUTYj (FAILURE TO OBEY AN ORDER OR REGULATIONj (CRUELTY AND MALTREATMENTj (CONSPIRACY! (OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICEj (RECKLESS E'.NDANGERMENT J 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Taguba Report
    ARTICLE 15-6 INVESTIGATION OF THE 800th MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE SECRET/NO FOREIGN DISSEMINATION TABLE OF CONTENTS References ……………………………………………………………….. 3 Background …………………………………………………………….. 6 Assessment of DoD Counter-Terrorism Interrogation and Detention Operations In Iraq (MG Miller’s Assessment).……….…………………………….. 8 IO Comments on MG Miller’s Assessment..……………………………. 8 Report on Detention and Corrections In Iraq (MG Ryder’s Report)…………………………….……………… 9 IO Comments on MG Ryder’s Report…...……………….…………….. 12 Preliminary Investigative Actions ………………………..…………….. 12 Findings and Recommendations Part One (Detainee Abuse). ……………………………………………. 15 Findings ………………………………………………………… 15 Recommendations ……………………………………………… 20 Part Two (Escapes and Accountability) ………………………………... 22 Findings ………………………………………………………… 22 Recommendations. …………………………………………….. 31 Part Three (Command Climate, Etc…). ………………………………... 34 Findings ………………………………………………………… 36 Recommendations ……………………………………………… 44 Other Findings/Observations …………………………………………... 49 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………… 50 Annexes ………………………………………………………………… 51 2 References 1. Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 12 August 1949 2. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in the Armed Forces in the Field, 12 August 1949 3. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, 12 August 1949 4. Geneva Convention Protocol Relative to the Status of Refugees, 1967 5. Geneva Convention Relative to the Status of Refugees, 1951 6. Geneva Convention for the Protection of War Victims, 12 August 1949 7. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, 12 August 1949 8. DOD Directive 5100.69, “DOD Program for Prisoners of War and other Detainees,” 27 December 1972 9. DOD Directive 5100.77 “DOD Law of War Program,” 10 July 1979 10. STANAG No. 2044, Procedures for Dealing with Prisoners of War (PW) (Edition 5), 28 June 1994 11.
    [Show full text]
  • Accountability for Abu Ghraib Torture by Private Military Contractors
    Accountability for Abu Ghraib Torture by Private Military Contractors The release of the photographs and video document- Abuse and fraud by contractors in both countries have ing horrific torture of Iraqi prisoners detained by the been rampant.2 U.S. at Abu Ghraib drew demands for accountability and redress from around the world, including from top Currently there is no effective U.S. system of contractor Bush Administration officials. Subsequent investiga- accountability and oversight in place. Generally speaking, tions led to the court-martial of a small number of low- the US Department of Justice (DoJ) is responsible for level U.S. soldiers as well as documentation of the role investigating and prosecuting these incidents. However, played in the torture at Abu Ghraib and other deten- the DoJ has too often failed to prosecute even the most tion facilities by contractors from two U.S. corpora- serious of human rights abuses by contractors, including tions: Engility Corporation (formerly L-3 Services and but not limited to the torture that took place at Abu Titan Corporation) and CACI International, Inc. Engility Ghraib and other detention centers in Iraq. Several in- was initially hired to provide translation services for vestigations into torture, including by the military itself, U.S. personnel at Iraqi prisons. CACI was contracted have concluded that CACI and L-3 contractors participat- to provide interrogation services. Publically available ed in “sadistic, blatant, and wanton criminal abuses.” But information reveals that employees from both corpora- no contractors have been charged with these crimes by tions were part of the conspiracy to torture Iraqi de- the DoJ.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq in Crisis
    MAY 2014 Iraq in Crisis ANTHONY H. CORDESMAN AND SAM KHAZAI AND SAM ANTHONY H. CORDESMAN 1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW| Washington DC 20036 t. (202) 887-0200 | f. (202) 775-3199 | www.csis.org Iraq in ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD Lanham • Boulder • New York • Toronto • Plymouth, UK 4501 Forbes Boulevard, Lanham, MD 20706 t. (800) 462-6420 | f. (301) 429-5749 | www.rowman.com Crisis AUTHORS Cover photo: Photo by Kaveh Seyedahmadian. http://www.flickr.com/photos/samanvari/3388535986/. Anthony H. Cordesman ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD ISBN 978-1-4422-2855-9 Sam Khazai Ë|xHSLEOCy228559z v*:+:!:+:! A Report of the CSIS Burke Chair in Strategy Blank Iraq in Crisis Authors Anthony H. Cordesman Sam Khazai A Report of the CSIS Burke Chair in Strategy May 2014 ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD Lanham • Boulder • New York • Toronto • Plymouth, UK About CSIS For over 50 years, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has worked to develop solutions to the world’s greatest policy challenges. Today, CSIS scholars are providing strategic insights and bipartisan policy solutions to help decisionmakers chart a course toward a better world. CSIS is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center’s 220 full-time staff and large network of affiliated scholars conduct research and analysis and develop policy initiatives that look into the future and anticipate change. Founded at the height of the Cold War by David M. Abshire and Admiral Arleigh Burke, CSIS was dedicated to finding ways to sustain American prominence and prosperity as a force for good in the world. Since 1962, CSIS has become one of the world’s preeminent international institutions focused on defense and security; regional stability; and transnational challenges ranging from energy and climate to global health and economic integration.
    [Show full text]
  • The End of U.S. Military Detainee Operations at Abu Ghraib, Iraq
    University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2009 The End Of U.S. Military Detainee Operations At Abu Ghraib, Iraq Michael Allgood University of Central Florida Part of the Military and Veterans Studies Commons, and the Military History Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Allgood, Michael, "The End Of U.S. Military Detainee Operations At Abu Ghraib, Iraq" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 4091. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/4091 THE END OF U.S. MILITARY DETAINEE OPERATIONS AT ABU GHRAIB, IRAQ by MICHAEL C. ALLGOOD B.S. University of Central Florida, 2000 M.S. University of Central Florida, 2002 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Graduate Studies at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2009 ABSTRACT Operation Iraqi Freedom launched with the backing of U.S. Coalition Forces (CF) on March 20, 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The United States occupied Iraq by bombing and cleansing Iraq of weapons (Dahabour 105-130). During the first year of occupation U.S. soldiers at the detention facility Abu Ghraib tortured detainees in their charge.
    [Show full text]
  • Here to Stay and Growing: Combating ISIS Propaganda Networks the Brookings Project on U.S
    Here to stay and growing: Combating ISIS propaganda networks The Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World U.S.-Islamic World Forum Papers 2015 October 2015 Alberto M. Fernandez The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and policy solutions. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide in- novative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institu- tion, its management, or its other scholars. Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings Brookings recognizes that the value it provides to any supporter is in its absolute commitment to quality, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW independence and impact. Activities supported by its Washington, DC 20036 donors reflect this commitment and the analysis and recommendations are not determined by any donation. www.brookings.edu/islamic-world STEERING n 2015, we returned to Doha for the views of the participants of the work- COMMITTEE the 12th annual U.S.-Islamic World ing groups or the Brookings Institution. MArtiN INDYK Forum. Co-convened annually by Select working group papers will be avail- Executive Ithe Brookings Project on U.S. Relations able on our website. Vice President with the Islamic World and the State of Brookings Qatar, the Forum is the premier inter- We would like to take this opportunity BRUCE JONES national gathering of leaders in govern- to thank the State of Qatar for its sup- Vice President ment, civil society, academia, business, port in convening the Forum with us.
    [Show full text]
  • The Status of Detainees from the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
    Texas A&M University School of Law Texas A&M Law Scholarship Faculty Scholarship 1-2005 The Status of Detainees from the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts Srividhya Ragavan Texas A&M University School of Law, [email protected] Michael S. Mireles Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar Part of the International Law Commons, and the Military, War, and Peace Commons Recommended Citation Srividhya Ragavan & Michael S. Mireles, The Status of Detainees from the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts, 2005 Utah L. Rev. 619 (2005). Available at: https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/549 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Texas A&M Law Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of Texas A&M Law Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Status of Detainees from the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts Srividhya Ragavan* Michael S. Mireles, Jr.** I. INTRODUCTION On April 29, 2004, CBS 60 Minutes II horrified its viewers by showing photographs of prisoners in humiliating poses taken at the United States' Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.1 CBS relayed that the United States Army discharged from duty seventeen American soldiers, on charges of mistreating prisoners held at Abu Ghraib.2 The world watched one more postwar American action in Iraq, disastrous by even the most optimistic accounts. High-ranking United States government officials expressed concern, disgust, and disappointment over the behavior of "a few bad apples" amidst the American soldiers.3 The exact reason for the prison abuse was unknown.
    [Show full text]
  • CR19-Bariatwan.Pdf
    A Portrait of Caliph Ibrahim Is the Islamic State’s Leader a dangerous Megalomaniac? The Jury Is Still Out in the Arab World By Abdel Bari Atwan bu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has been extremely successful in maintaining a high degree of anonymity and secrecy. He achieved this first in his role as leader A of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) from 2010 and now as the emir and caliph of Islamic State (IS)1 as he declared it on July 4, 2014. He rarely appears in public. Until recently he made few public statements, whether in writing, audio recordings, or videos. This is largely a consequence of advice from his security staff, who is well aware that any kind of public profile might present foreign intelligence with leads as to his whereabouts. It was a careless, boastful video, shot in the desert, that led Ameri- can assassins to Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi in 2006. However, I have been able to piece together an idea of the man through inter- views—including speaking to a valuable source who is very close to the IS leader- ship and was in prison with Al-Baghdadi for two years—and various Arabic online sources. What follows is therefore a mosaic, and many fragments are, for the moment, missing. However, when assembled, this information paints a striking portrait of the world’s most dangerous man. Personal Life Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, also known as Abu Duaa, Doctor Ibrahim, Awwad Ibrahim, Al-Shabah (the phantom), and “the invisible sheikh” (due to his habit of wearing a mask when addressing his commanders), was born in 1971 in Samarra, fifty miles north of Baghdad.
    [Show full text]
  • Abu Ghraib and Beyond: Torture As an Extension of the Desiring Machine
    Abu Ghraib and Beyond: Torture as an Extension of the Desiring Machine by Hania A.M. Nashef INTRODUCTION No barrel, even though it’s lost a hoop Or end-piece, ever gapes as one whom I saw ripped right from his chin to where we fart: his bowels hung between his legs, one saw his vitals and the miserable sack that makes of what we swallow excrement. While I was all intent on watching him, he looked at me, and with his hands he spread his chest and said: “See how I split myself! See now how maimed Mohammed is! And he who walks and weeps before me is Ali, whose face is opened wide from chin to forelock. (Dante 259) The above quotation is the description of Prophet Mohammed’s journey through hell according to the Italian poet, Dante, in The Divine Comedy. In his discussion of Dante’s Inferno, in Orientalism, Edward Said (1995: 68) notes that Prophet Mohammed occupies the eighth circle in the nine circles of Hell. To reach Mohammed, Dante has to pass through “circles containing people whose sins are of a lesser order: the lustful, the avaricious, the gluttonous, the heretics, the wrathful, the suicidal, the blasphemous” (Ibid.: 68). Only falsifiers and traitors supplant Mohammed in evilness, before one actually reaches the bottom of hell. (Ibid.: 58) Given the Saggi /Ensayos/Essais/Essays 79 N. 8 – 11/2012 intrinsically perceived evil nature of Mohammed, he can only be subjected to the worst kind of torture. Said (Ibid.: 68) adds that Mohammed’s punishment is not merely his logical eternal fate but is also a castigation of the most repugnant kind.
    [Show full text]