Political Violence and Jihad Concepts

A conflict between two or more states, typically involving armed forces and significant casualties.

A violent conflict within a state, often involving opposing factions fighting for control.

A violent seizure of power by a small group, often involving the military.

Large-scale, organized violence by a state against its own citizens, often with the intent to suppress dissent.

A form of political violence carried out by non-state actors, including individuals, groups, or organizations.

A personal struggle against temptation and evil, typically in the context of a Muslim's daily life.

The systematic killing of monarchs, prime ministers, and presidents by individuals who often cross international borders.

A series of attacks planned, attempted, and sometimes carried out by individuals born and raised within the targeted country.

A type of Islamic practice that emphasizes following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran literally.

The act of declaring someone no longer Muslim due to their actions or beliefs, effectively excluding them from the faith.

The use of violence against civilians with the intention of sending a message or achieving a specific goal.

A cycle of violent activity lasting for approximately a generation (22-25 years) that has a global character.

Warfare undertaken for religious reasons, often associated with the expansion of Islam.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) emerged in 1919 during the Irish War of Independence, fighting for Irish independence from British rule.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 divided Irish Republican opinion, leading to the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) as both sides fought over the terms of independence.

The Irish Free State, comprising 26 counties, was established in 1922 as a dominion within the British Commonwealth. It remained largely independent, although it retained legal ties to the British Crown.

The six counties of Northern Ireland were carved out of the Irish Free State and remained under British rule. This partition became a major source of conflict and tension in the years to come.

The period following the partition of Ireland was marked by significant instability and conflict. It's known as "The Troubles", and it encompassed sectarian violence, political unrest, and the activities of paramilitary groups like the IRA.

The creation of Northern Ireland was intended to ensure security for the Protestant majority, but it fostered a sense of isolation and marginalization among the Catholic minority.

Catholics in Northern Ireland felt trapped and denied their Irish identity due to the dominance of the Unionist (Protestant) government, which was consistently elected by the majority community.

The 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland reflected deep-seated historical, religious, and political divisions between the Catholic and Protestant communities, creating a volatile environment marked by violence.

A key figure in early jihadist thought, Ibn Taymiyya argued that Islamic society was in decline due to moral and political corruption, a return to pre-Islamic ignorance ('jahiliya'). He called for a return to strict Islamic principles and the use of violence against rulers who deviated from the 'right path'.

Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the founder of Saudi Arabia, believed Arabic society was declining due to Western influence and a deviation from strict Islamic interpretations. He emphasized literalist interpretation of Islam and sought to eliminate practices like idol worship.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded by Hassan al-Banna, emerged in response to the end of the Ottoman Empire and British rule in Egypt. They saw a decline in Islamic practice due to corrupting Western influences like democracy and liberalism. Their goal was to establish an Islamic state.

A wave-like pattern suggests that the prominence of political Islam and jihadism has waxed and waned historically. This implies that jihadist violence is not a constant phenomenon, but rather a historical process with changing levels of intensity.

While modern jihadists draw on the ideas of Ibn Taymiyya and al-Wahhab, they also have their unique goals and motivations. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 became a rallying cry for jihadists, who viewed it as a fight against the forces of atheism and secularism.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, Abdullah Azzam, and Osama bin Laden led the internationalization of jihad following the Afghan conflict. They believed a global Islamic caliphate was necessary to combat Western domination and achieve a more just and holy world order.

The US response to the 9/11 attacks, including interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, was seen by some jihadists as a further justification for their struggle against the West. This led to a more intense and globalized form of jihadism.

The Islamic State, which emerged in the wake of the chaos in Iraq and Syria, represents a radical form of jihadism. It seeks to establish a global Islamic state that adheres to a strict interpretation of Islamic law and practices.

The hunger strikers in Northern Ireland believed that the Thatcher government would yield to their demands for special prisoner status, but this expectation was ultimately unmet.

The hunger strikes were a strategic tactic, with a new hunger striker joining each week until demands were met. This escalation aimed to increase media attention and pressure the government.

The hunger strikes were not limited to the Provisional IRA, with some strikers being interned and others not affiliated with the IRA. This demonstrates the broader support for the demands of the hunger strikers.

The hunger strikers' demands, such as the reinstatement of special prisoner status, were shared by the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland. This connection reveals a broader pursuit of justice and equality.

The Good Friday Agreement, while successful, was not the first attempt at brokering peace in Northern Ireland. Previous attempts, such as the Sunningdale Agreement and the Anglo-Irish Agreement, failed to achieve lasting peace.

The Good Friday Agreement addressed the issue of paramilitaries, including loyalists, nationalists, and those incarcerated for acts of violence, by calling for their release despite their involvement in attacks and killings.

The Good Friday Agreement's success was influenced by factors like war weariness among the Northern Irish populace, who grew tired of the violence and had less energy to continue the fight.

A key factor contributing to the success of the Good Friday Agreement was the change in leadership in the Republic of Ireland, with Albert Reynolds becoming president. This change in leadership brought a new perspective and approach to peace negotiations.

The study of terrorism often relies heavily on secondary sources, making it difficult to obtain real-world, firsthand evidence.

States often control the narrative surrounding terrorism, influencing the research done on the topic.

The overemphasis on "the Jihadist" can lead to a narrow understanding of terrorism, neglecting other motivations and ideologies.

Terrorism studies often focus on those who directly carry out attacks, neglecting the individuals involved in planning, recruitment, and financing.

Terrorism studies often uncritically accept government narratives, failing to analyze their potential biases and interests.

Terrorism studies often lack a focus on the impact of terrorism on communities, including mental health and civil liberties.

Terrorism studies often lack sufficient theoretical frameworks, leading to a descriptive approach rather than a truly analytical one.