There is a need for global engagement, including with Pakistan, to counter terrorism, which grew as part of US designs to control West Asian oil resources.
FULL ARTICLE – https://www.newsclick.in/defeating-terror-complex-rigmarole
Concise summary of the key points in the article:
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Trigger & Context: The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack on tourists led to Indian retaliation against terrorist bases in Pakistan. This highlights the ongoing challenge of terrorism, which surged globally post-9/11, often wrongly conflated with Islam.
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India’s Terror Experience: India faces persistent terror, notably in Kashmir (like Pahalgam, Pulwama) and major attacks (Mumbai 26/11). Crucially, the article notes terror acts also stemmed from Hindu extremist groups (Malegaon, Ajmer, Samjhauta Express), with ongoing trials involving figures linked to Hindutva politics.
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Roots in Geopolitics: Modern terrorism’s epicenter is traced to Pakistan-based groups, themselves products of the 1980s US/Saudi-backed mujahideen project against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. US-funded Pakistani madrasas preached violent jihad, creating groups like the Taliban.
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Pakistan’s Complex Role: Pakistan is portrayed as both a perpetrator (“global exporter of terror”) and a major victim (high Global Terror Index ranking, death of Benazir Bhutto). Its recent appointment as chair of the UN Taliban Sanctions Committee while being vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee underscores this complexity.
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Ideological Drivers & Misconceptions: The “Clash of Civilizations” theory and intense “Islamophobia” (fueled by media) obscured the report “Alliance of Civilizations,” which argued for civilizational cooperation. Terrorism is framed as a “Frankenstein’s monster” created by imperialist ambitions (specifically US control over West Asian oil), not inherent to Islam.
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The Path Forward:
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Global Cooperation: Eradicating terrorism requires international collaboration, recognizing its roots in foreign policy and geopolitical interests.
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Address Root Causes: Symptomatic security measures are insufficient; deeper analysis of the global scenario (especially dominant US policies) is needed.
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Engage Pakistan: While holding Pakistan accountable, bringing it to the discussion table is essential.
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Kashmir: Promoting democracy in Kashmir is vital for preventing attacks.
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Counter Propaganda: Combat the false association of Islam/Muslims with terror by understanding its historical, geopolitical origins.
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In essence: The article argues terrorism, exemplified by the Pahalgam attack and India-Pakistan tensions, is a complex global cancer born from Cold War geopolitics (specifically US actions in Afghanistan), imperialist resource ambitions, and ideological manipulation. It manifests in both Islamist and Hindu extremist forms in India. Solutions lie not just in security but in global cooperation, addressing root causes (including historical foreign policy), engaging Pakistan constructively despite its dual role, and countering Islamophobic narratives.
