Tag Archives: ISIL

London Attacks: Five myths about Terrorism

Posted on June 5, 2017 by nervana111

Photo via Reuters Westminster, the Manchester Arena, and London Bridge ____ three terrorist attacks in three months in my adoptive country, Britain. Those gruesome crimes, however, have not changed the response to terror. Politicians, journalists, and commentators are still harping … Continue reading →

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The Plight of Non-Islamist Muslims

Posted on March 31, 2016 by nervana111

When it comes to Islam, terminologies can be baffling and hotly disputed. Muslims, Islam, Islamism, and radicalism can all be confusing labels. But with the escalating waves of terror flowing around the globe, it is paramount to demystify the fog … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Egypt, Islam, Politics, Terrorism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Egypt in the Crosshairs

Posted on February 19, 2016 by nervana111

I wrote this long essay for the Winter 2016 edition of The Journal of the International Security Affairs ( subscription only), but for convenience I republish it here.   Egypt is now facing a complex asymmetrical war on various fronts. On November 10, 2014, … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Islam, Libya, Middle East, Politics, Terrorism | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

ISIS, Russia, and Egypt

Posted on November 6, 2015 by nervana111

What really happened to Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 over Sinai a few days ago? Forget it. The fatal crash does not matter any more. Regardless of what truly did or did not happen to the Russian plane, the prevailing theory … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Diary of Aak, Egypt, Short Comments | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

A collection of posts on the recent Turkish move in Syria and Iraq

Posted on July 28, 2015 by nervana111

Here is a selection of articles on the recent Turkish decision to strike the Kurdish PKK and the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. First, this EDAM discussion paper articulates the possible rationale of the recent Turkish intervention: “The rationale for … Continue reading →

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Violent Islamism: Our amazing disgrace

Posted on July 3, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram Friday’s carnage on three continents, in which scores of people died in Tunisia, Kuwait, and France has appalled the global community and reinforced international condemnation of the Islamic State (IS), which has claimed responsibility for them. … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Kobani: A Victim Of Our Sins

Posted on October 12, 2014 by nervana111

(Photo via Mother Jones) The city of Kobani is falling in front of our eyes. The black flags of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have been slowly spreading above the buildings of this unfortunate Kurdish town in … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Middle East, Syria, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

An Open Letter to Moderate Muslims

Posted on October 7, 2014 by nervana111

Pakistani-Canadian writer Ali A. Rizvi has written this interesting piece, which I think it is worth sharing.  Enjoy….. My favourite paragraph is: “The word “moderate” has lost its credibility. Fareed Zakaria has referred to Middle Eastern moderates as a “fantasy.” Even … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Middle East | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Turkey versus Egypt: A boxing rivalry

Posted on September 29, 2014 by nervana111

(President Erdogan addressing the U.N. General assembly.  Photo via Reuters) This year, the UN General Assembly became the new boxing arena for two Middle-Eastern rivals, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Both threw punches. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments