Every Kingdom Divided Against Itself Will be Ruined: A Reflection, A Deflection and a Qualified Reinterpretation of the Global Jihad

TY - JOUR

T1 - Every Kingdom Divided Against Itself Will be Ruined:

T2 - A Reflection, A Deflection and a Qualified Reinterpretation of the Global Jihad

AU - Martin, Liam

AU - Smith, M.L.R.

PY - 2011/8/17

Y1 - 2011/8/17

N2 - Much analytical commentary implies that a generic West is the principal target of jihadist activism. This study contends that this is a misconception fostered by jihadist groups like Al Qaeda in order to accentuate their stature in the Islamic world and to obscure their true aims, which are first and foremost to secure the dominance of the Salafist interpretation of Islam. The analysis situates Al Qaeda in the tradition of Islamic reform movements and shows that a violent Sufi/Salafist conflict pervades nearly all current examples of strife within the Muslim world. In these conflicts, the role of the “West” is instrumental, not central to the struggle. Consequently, this study offers a qualification to notions of a “global jihad” and suggests this has important considerations for policymakers in determining the nature of the threat posed by Islamist militancy.

AB - Much analytical commentary implies that a generic West is the principal target of jihadist activism. This study contends that this is a misconception fostered by jihadist groups like Al Qaeda in order to accentuate their stature in the Islamic world and to obscure their true aims, which are first and foremost to secure the dominance of the Salafist interpretation of Islam. The analysis situates Al Qaeda in the tradition of Islamic reform movements and shows that a violent Sufi/Salafist conflict pervades nearly all current examples of strife within the Muslim world. In these conflicts, the role of the “West” is instrumental, not central to the struggle. Consequently, this study offers a qualification to notions of a “global jihad” and suggests this has important considerations for policymakers in determining the nature of the threat posed by Islamist militancy.

U2 - 10.1080/1057610X.2011.594943

DO - 10.1080/1057610X.2011.594943

M3 - Article

SN - 1057-610X

VL - 34

SP - 672

EP - 695

JO - STUDIES IN CONFLICT AND TERRORISM

JF - STUDIES IN CONFLICT AND TERRORISM

IS - 9

ER -