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Page added on September 21, 2018
Arab Conflicts Seen Not Rooted in Ideology Alone
Ideology is not the main reason that some people in the conflict-ridden Arab world join extremist groups. Rather, a host of other issues, including political participation, poverty, income disparity and unemployment, push people toward violence and extremism, a panel of experts said Thursday.
“The mainstream population [in the Arab world] is poor and vulnerable. Decisions to survive and provide for the family, not ideological beliefs, lead to people joining extremist groups,” said Rami Khouri, a professor of journalism and public policy at the American University of Beirut.
Khouri added that in addition to tackling poverty, inequality and economic disparity, environmental factors such as shortage of water and drought must not be ignored when solutions are sought to end conflicts in the region.
Mehran Kamrava, a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in Qatar, argued that while addressing poverty is key to resolving conflicts in the region, the fight against poverty could not be won unless it was coupled with creating economic opportunities for people through sound economic policies and strengthening the education and development sectors. He argued that they all go hand in hand.
“Education by itself cannot resolve issues unless there is a political system that allows people to express themselves. Adding to this is providing people with work opportunity and improving their livelihood,” Kamrava said.
The Washington-based Arab Center organized the panel discussion, which focused on the future of the Arab world.
Religion
Amatalalim Alsoswa, a Yemeni activist and the country’s former ambassador to Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, pointed to religion’s role in solving some of the regional problems.
“Religious faith has always been an integral part of the culture in the Arab world and will continue to be in the future. The problem here is [lack] of tolerance for opposing views and assuming that one’s own religion or sect is the only true one,” Alsoswa said.
Alsoswa added that if utilized properly, religion could play a positive role in promoting ideals such as tolerance of others, social justice, good governance, equality of citizenship, women’s rights and civil rights.
The Arab world “continues to suffer from a deadlock of past grievances. But it is not too late to build on the rich heritage of the region to bring change. Such change requires government systems that promote the path forward,” she said.
Thomas R. Pickering, former U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, echoed parts of Alsoswa’s assessment, adding that local knowledge of the region and its history was crucial.
“America has a deficit in its knowledge of Islam and the Arabic-speaking world, and as a result we are making mistakes,” Pickering said. “It is important to rely on people who have the knowledge of the region.”
12 Comments on "Arab Conflicts Seen Not Rooted in Ideology Alone"
twocats on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 8:27 am
“America has a deficit in its knowledge of Islam and the Arabic-speaking world, and as a result we are making mistakes”
the american public might – but the imperial managers have known exactly what they are doing for decades. chaos, disruption, income inequality are all part of driving down potential rivals or competitors to US Hegemony. Its very simple.
Sissyfuss on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 9:13 am
Religious fanatics are the easiest to manipulate because they cannot think for themselves.
Anontarded1 on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 10:05 am
this is a tarded article using the cover of “religion” and talking about the arabs. and it’s for the consumption of the dhimmis, of many who consider themselves untarded and atheistic. can’t be any further fromn trooth
Anontarded1 on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 10:06 am
it never occurs to libtards that religion in this context is hidden due to trauma of threats of death (it’s simple as that) means islam
Anontarded1 on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 10:11 am
today is anniversary of jihad attack in nairobi, kenya which shows a methodical and nonchalant attitude of jihadis. this is because dhimmis are not human, period. if any muslim show deference they’re to be killed. youtube has documentary of the mumbai attack -a nother vividly account of systematic killing
Anontarded1 on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 10:11 am
https://thereligionofpeace.com/
Cloggie on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 11:14 am
“Ideology is not the main reason that some people in the conflict-ridden Arab world join extremist groups.”
I can’t stand the word “extremist”. It presupposes a norm (Western man, job, credit card, secular, votes, watches MSM, mortgage, henpecked by his wife and kids) and the more somebody deviates from this norm (most of humanity), the more he is an “extremist”.
It assumes that everybody is equal and hence interchangeable. And everybody who is different from the corporate, globalist ideal of everybody a production and consumer resource, should be pathologized.
I AM THE MOB on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 11:18 am
“No civilization can survive the physical destruction of its resource base.”
– Bruce Sterling
Anontarded1 on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 11:19 am
extremists are SENTAPVBs (extremist supremacists nazi tard preachers victimhood bumpskied)
onlooker on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 12:07 pm
No species can survive the physical destruction of its resource base.”
Anontarded1 on Fri, 21st Sep 2018 1:02 pm
my god suprtard cody wilson has fallen
this is a sad day .
he’s either framed or don’t know how to find a bf. i have many bfs and i don’t have to run to phils for them. i enjoy supertards america thank you very much
Free Speech Message Board on Sun, 23rd Sep 2018 4:42 am
What’s wrong with freedom?
Nazis scream that burning the flag must be illegal, but Libertarians ask why can’t free speech be legal.
Nazis say there must be trade wars and tariffs, but Libertarians ask why not just rid of regulations, work harder, and lower prices so that the US can compete on the world market.
Nazis and Commies scream that only the government can tell you the truth, but Libertarians ask why not use the free market to boycott media companies that you distrust.
Nazis and Commies scream that you must go to government schools, but Libertarians ask why can’t you go to a private school.
Nazis scream that Americans must be forced to go church and Commies scream that churches must be closed, but Libertarians ask why can’t you do what you want.