Lately I have been reading a most interesting book, Unholy War by Loretta Napoleoni. The book concerns the mounting threat of international terrorism, specifically the threat arising from numerous militant islamist groups operating largely unchecked in various nations around the world, from the Philipines to Albania. The book revealed some rather disturbing truths on the nature of modern-day terrorism. What was especially fascinating was Napoleoni's theories regarding the root causes of the evolution of vast terror networks, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbollah. These organizations thrive on the chaos and disarray which characterises many nation states in the Middle East. Through various illegal and clandestine activities - smuggling drugs, money laundrying and arms trade- they finance their terror warfare.
How do they go about financing these activities, considering that terror operations, even at small scale, requires large financial resources? The answer lies embedded in the term shell states. A shell state is exists in "failed states", nation states with illegitimate governments with some or little control of the state's territory. They do no longer provide the services needed for their citizens, no rule of law and the state's legitimacy is diminishing. Shell states often evolve after civil war has wrecked the nation and the government ruling it, and when the government can no longer defend all of its territory. In the vacuum that is created, terror groups step in, offering at least some form of control and stability to the local population. They provide services, build hospitals, infrastructure and industry, though of a limited scope.
What is different from "actual" nation-states is that the shell states are built up around warfare, and all taxes and profits are used to fund the group's war. In the case of Hamas, that is exactly what has happened. Hamas did win the election, but it cannot claim any legitimacy since its entire existence was conceived out of the war against the occupationists, Israel. In fact, no state at all exists in Palestine, and Hamas has stepped in to gain from the confusion and disorder which plagues Palestine. Hamas is actively supported by various "fund raisers" and "charity organizations", which are in fact concealed sponsors of the terror warfare. Through shell companies, illegal arms trade, drugs smuggling, funds raised from sponsors in Saudiarabia and around the Middle East, Hamas can finance its operations. It is in fact in this way that Islamist terror is funded around the world. Americans and Europeans by the drugs which keep these movements alive and kicking, and the oil we buy from the Gulf states are transfered into support for terrorismIn the case of Hamas, it would be wise not to recognize this terrorist organisations, which thrives on illegal activities and whose pursuits are none but war and terror. It is not likely that the EU or the US would ever acknowledge Hamas' in the near future, but voices have been raised in Europe to "relieve" the Palestinian people in its tedious situation, but recognizing the Hamas and thus removing it of the "terror group list". It seems like Hamas are doing just fine without international aid, and actually prospering from it.
In an article in The Herald Tribune today, Israeli officials express their concern on the current Hamas military build-up in the Gaza strip. According to Israeli officials, Hamas "is building its military capacity in the Gaza Strip, constructing tunnels and underground bunkers and smuggling in ground-to-air missiles and military-grade explosives". Hamas has now apparently recruited over 10 000 fighters, whom have received their training from fellow terrorist organization Hezbollah. How is this possible without extensive external funding? Not very likely that it derives from levying taxes and legitimate businesses...
The origins of terror must be combatted by focusing on its root causes - socio-political decay, economic ruin and a lack of democracy and free speech - rather than through military means. In that respect, the EU must focus on supporting moderate Muslim organizations and targeting aid specific areas, so as not to risk that the funds fall into the wrong hands.
No comments:
Post a Comment