Terrorism
Islamic State’s Incursion into North Africa and Sahel: A Threat to al-Qaeda?
Introduction
At the present time, the attention of the world’s media is focused sharply on Islamic State’s (IS) activities in Iraq and Syria, where IS has come under increasing pressure. A broad coalition of countries is at present attempting to combat IS in Iraq and Syria, and more specifically in the towns of Mosul and Raqqa. However, IS has not only established a presence in these countries.
Islamic State in Yemen – A Rival to al-Qaeda?
Introduction
In Yemen, most people know of a hadith where the prophet Mohammed is said to have proclaimed that faith and wisdom are Yemeni. Now this hadith is used to call attention to the lack of wisdom displayed by current political leaders, who are described as egotistical and power-hungry.
Islamic State Enters Al-Qaeda’s Old Hotbed: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Heirs of Abu Bakr: On the Ideology and Conception of History in al-Qaeda and Islamic State
Introduction
Did the Caliphate cease to exist in 1924, or was it dissolved after the Mongolian invasion of Bagdad in 1258? Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda (AQ) believed in the first claim, whereas Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and IS seem to consider the second contention to be true.
The Mole and the Mallet: Islamic State and al-Qaeda in the ‘Thirty Years' War’ in the Middle East
Introduction
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen has an arcade game named ‘Whack-A-Mole.’ The game involves competing about who can hit most moles with a mallet in the shortest period of time. You cannot win against the moles, as they keep popping up from their holes, but you can hit most moles in the shortest period of time.
Disunity in Global Jihad: A Preface
The Rise and Consolidation of Islamic State: External Intervention and Sectarian Conflict
The Mobilization and Recruitment of Foreign Fighters: The Case of Islamic State, 2012–2014
Terrorism and Organized Crime
Karachi: Organized Crime in a Key Megacity
Introduction
Megacities are developing across many regions of the world – in particular in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. These cities are growing rapidly as migrants from rural areas or those escaping conflicts gravitate to urban areas. Migrants often settle in informal urban settlements that frequently lack infrastructure and services. In the absence of state presence, or in areas where the state’s presence is substantially weakened, criminals and other non-state actors become the providers of services needed by citizens.