Owing to consistent Pakistani economic decline and social unrest,the corrupt governmental political structure and the deepening cooperation with western countries.Talibanization has spread more and more into the triba...Owing to consistent Pakistani economic decline and social unrest,the corrupt governmental political structure and the deepening cooperation with western countries.Talibanization has spread more and more into the tribal area of Pakistan.It is mainly represented as an extremist,armed violence and mass participation,which will seriously affect the political stability in Pakistan and make the western military forces become stationed for a long time in Afghanistan.The“All-weather”relationship between China and Pakistan will also be challenged by those radical religious forces and separatists.展开更多
In the wake of the Afghanistan War,the Afghan Taliban(hereafter termed the Taliban)quickly regrouped and set up a horizontal organizational structure in which their ethnic composition became increasingly diverse and t...In the wake of the Afghanistan War,the Afghan Taliban(hereafter termed the Taliban)quickly regrouped and set up a horizontal organizational structure in which their ethnic composition became increasingly diverse and their ideology appeared more pragmatic and moderate.The Taliban accommodated the political culture and demands of the vast rural and tribal societies of Afghanistan by providing necessary public goods and satisfying the need of local communities for survival and security.Hence,the Afghan society was mobilized.By contrast,the Afghan government failed miserably in its efforts to centralize power and develop rural areas,which resulted in lessened efficiency of the governance of the Afghan state due to intense competition among ethnic groups.Gradually,the Taliban filled the power vacuums in the countryside,eroding and dismantling the local institutions of the Afghan government.Ultimately,it returned to power during the withdrawal of the United States(US)troops from the country.Nevertheless,a long list of major challenges is awaiting the Taliban,including the reconfiguration of its loosely organized structure and the building of a sociopolitical system capable of melding Islamic traditions with modern spirits.In this manner,power sharing,political inclusiveness,and economic growth can be achieved in Afghanistan,and the country can be reaccepted into the international community.展开更多
The Afghan Taliban(hereafter termed the Taliban) has returned to power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops from the country. However, acquiring political legitimacy at home and winning international r...The Afghan Taliban(hereafter termed the Taliban) has returned to power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops from the country. However, acquiring political legitimacy at home and winning international recognition abroad remain daunting tasks for the Taliban, which will largely hinge on the group's transition away from its previously radical ideology. The ideology of the Taliban can be categorized as a brand of traditional Islamism blended with unique Afghan characteristics, which incorporates a variety of elements ranging from Deobandism, Pashtun rural and tribal cultures, Wahhabism, and Salafism to political Islam and carries a combination of many attributes. For instance, it emphasizes religious legitimacy stemming from the outward display of piety but overlooks the importance of political legitimacy. Moreover, it pursues Pashtun supremacy and practices sectarianism. However, driven by the needs of successive resistance and governance, the ideology of the Taliban has been undergoing a transition in recent years. Notably, pragmatism has begun to emerge, along with pluralism and religious inclusion;the emphasis on outward manifestations of piety has been reduced;efforts have been made to seek integration into the international system;and there appears to be a willingness to follow international norms. Despite all that, the core of the Taliban ideology remains intact, which still falls within the ambit of Islamism, as evidenced by the theocratic regime it has established in Afghanistan and its governing philosophies that advocate mullahs running the country. The Taliban has been shifting its ideology toward modern Islamism, which lacks successful governance practice. As an armed religious group, the Taliban faces tough challenges in governing the country, which include, but are not limited to, conservative mindsets and skill deficits. To tackle the challenges effectively, the Taliban should continue to focus on political legitimacy and advance the transition of its ideology.展开更多
Pakistan is one of the most important players as well as a playground frontier of the global war on terrorism beginning from September 11 to the present. In this paper we delineate the complexities of the war against ...Pakistan is one of the most important players as well as a playground frontier of the global war on terrorism beginning from September 11 to the present. In this paper we delineate the complexities of the war against terrorism taking a social network approach. The paper argues that one of the main challenges for fighting terrorism in places such as Pakistan is the social network ties which exit between the different constituencies, sometimes constituencies which are seemingly on opposing sides. The paper uses social capital of organizations to map the capital and liabilities of strong and weak ties between the Pakistani intelligence service (ISI) and the Taliban and how they change over time.展开更多
From the beginnings of Wahabism in the 18th century to the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant （ISIL, ISIS） violence has occasionally been justified in the name of Islam, which is problematic for secular ...From the beginnings of Wahabism in the 18th century to the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant （ISIL, ISIS） violence has occasionally been justified in the name of Islam, which is problematic for secular and traditional scholars alike. This paper demonstrates that there are three complex, interrelated causes for this violence： foreign military intervention, Salafi-Jihadism and a utopian state founded upon faith and justice, i.e. a caliphate.展开更多
Current geopolitical strategies of countries or trading partners reflect a“New Great Game”in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic,especially across Eurasia.Strategies range from modification of China’s decade-long“Bel...Current geopolitical strategies of countries or trading partners reflect a“New Great Game”in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic,especially across Eurasia.Strategies range from modification of China’s decade-long“Belt and Road”Initiative,Russian Federation’s Eurasian Union,to Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific geopolitical program,coupled with“Build Back Better World”(“B3W”)initiative advanced by the Group of Seven(G7)at its 12 June 2021 meeting at Carbis Bay,Cornwall,England.This came as United States forces withdrew from Afghanistan chaotically.Russia,China,and the West each compete to become the more effective chess player in Eurasia.Competitor countries have developed traditional and novel soft power tools to construct relationships across that supercontinent.What countries will endure,meet the test of time?This chapter will address those issues individually,collectively,drawing upon forecasts advanced in this century,post-pandemic assessments,with triangulation of information available currently in the literature of“New Great Game”players.Much is at stake,from Eurasia’s future to prospective statehood in East Turkmenistan(China’s Xinjiang)to peace across Asia,global tranquility.All nations must meet global expectations and regulations,be rewarded when they do,ostracized in failure.Brazil,India,and countries driving trade should be considered seriously for greater roles in global governance.展开更多
There has been widespread cooperation and intervention by the international community in the reconstruction of post-conflict countries,and maintaining security and stability and assistance for economic recovery and de...There has been widespread cooperation and intervention by the international community in the reconstruction of post-conflict countries,and maintaining security and stability and assistance for economic recovery and development have been positioned as two indispensable wheels(Security-Development Nexus)in the rebuilding process of unstable countries.One of the most typical examples of the international community's involvement in post-conflict state-building was its support for Afghanistan after 2002.However,despite its efforts over 20 years,the Taliban seized all of Afghanistan in 2021,resulting in the collapse of 20 years of international community support for the building of a democratic state.This paper attempts to recapitulate the international community’s ambitious 20-year Security and Development efforts in Afghanistan,where the resulting failure lies and what lessons can be learned.The key points are:(1)the limitations of the UN’s role and the fact that it had continued to provide assistance without a clear“exit strategy”,(2)the security circle and the development circle had different objectives,and their collaboration was not effectively conducted,(3)the failure to include Taliban in the initial political process of the new state.展开更多
Marking a new chapter of extremism as well as terrorism in South Asia,Pakistani Taliban movement is a product of the regional geo-political changes.Taliban’s penetration into Pakistan and its expansion from FATA and ...Marking a new chapter of extremism as well as terrorism in South Asia,Pakistani Taliban movement is a product of the regional geo-political changes.Taliban’s penetration into Pakistan and its expansion from FATA and NWFP to the hinterland have been well-known as“the Talibanization of Pakistan”.As a matter of fact,this process is“the Pakistanization of Taliban”too.Since its birth in December 2007,Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP)has been evolving some new characters which in some sense differs from its Afghanistan counterpart.Notwithstanding Pakistan military establishment’s massive action since 2009,TTP is now integrating kinds of militant groups into its terrorist enterprise,which not only puts Pakistan into difficulty but also breeds new variables for the regional politics.展开更多
The ideological transition within the Taliban movement has witnessed several trajectories.Starting from a socio-cultural movement for bringing about law and order in the society as the ruler of Kabul in the mid-1990s;...The ideological transition within the Taliban movement has witnessed several trajectories.Starting from a socio-cultural movement for bringing about law and order in the society as the ruler of Kabul in the mid-1990s;the movement experienced various phases where its norms and practices appeared alien to the socio-cultural fabric of the majority part of the modern Afghan state.At the present juncture,the movement’s aim is to become the ruler of Kabul again but with a new outlook.The movement and its leadership have entered an epoch different from the old Taliban to neo-Taliban and presents themselves as chief propagators of peace within the organisation that only reflects the Taliban’s desperate attempt to save the movement and present it as an alternative to the US backed Afghan government.展开更多
As a major player in South Asia,India’s priority in Afghanistan is to support the Afghan government established after 2001.However,the political and security challenges after the announcement of US military withdrawa...As a major player in South Asia,India’s priority in Afghanistan is to support the Afghan government established after 2001.However,the political and security challenges after the announcement of US military withdrawal from Afghanistan have significantly impacted India.Afghanistan is facing a dual challenge on both security and political levels.On the security level,although the counter-insurgency measures taken by both international forces led by the US and Afghan forces have lasted for more than a decade,Taliban and other Islamic extremist groups continue to exert their strong political and security influence all across Afghanistan.At the political level,the new unity government,formed by Dr.President Ashraf Ghani and Dr.Abdullah,Chief Executive Officer,after the two terms of the presidency of Hamid Karzai,shows possible divisions and uncertainty.To address the new challenges,on the one hand,India tries to continue its“soft measures”to safeguard its interests in Afghanistan,while on the other hand,India strengthens the cooperation with international organizations and other regional states to create positive conditions for Afghan stability and reconstruction.However,given the political uncertainty and worsening security surroundings in Afghanistan,India still faces several challenges.展开更多
Pashtuns have been subjected to the colonially constructed representation of themselves which is grounded on certain generalisations and stereotypes that were framed and propagated during the time of British military ...Pashtuns have been subjected to the colonially constructed representation of themselves which is grounded on certain generalisations and stereotypes that were framed and propagated during the time of British military encounters with the frontier tribes,residing in Afghanistan and present day Pakistan’s frontier region.The oriental representation of the Pashtuns in western academic writings is the result of the vast literature that were produced based on the experiences of British military expeditions against the so-called tribal Pashtuns.Although throughout history there have been instances of non-violent movements initiated by the Pashtuns,the persistence of colonial knowledge has made it impossible to deconstruct the notion surrounding Pashtuns as‘inherently ferocious’and‘violent’in nature from the popular conscience.In such an environment the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement(PTM),a non-violent human rights movement in Pakistan,is trying to present a counter narrative to the image of‘Violent Pashtuns’from the popular discourse at present.This research critically analyses the representation of Pashtuns in both past and the contemporary literature and other popular media which help in building narratives and deciding on the policies of the state(Pakistan)and other(religious,social or political)organisations towards this group.It highlights the importance of rising beyond the orientalist discourse to focus more on local narratives in understanding about the Pashtuns and their problems.展开更多
文摘Owing to consistent Pakistani economic decline and social unrest,the corrupt governmental political structure and the deepening cooperation with western countries.Talibanization has spread more and more into the tribal area of Pakistan.It is mainly represented as an extremist,armed violence and mass participation,which will seriously affect the political stability in Pakistan and make the western military forces become stationed for a long time in Afghanistan.The“All-weather”relationship between China and Pakistan will also be challenged by those radical religious forces and separatists.
基金the result of the initial research of a key project supported by the National Social Science Fund of China on the“Multi-Dimensional Comparative Research of Modern Nation and State Building in the Middle East(Multi-Volume)”(Grant No.20&ZD240)。
文摘In the wake of the Afghanistan War,the Afghan Taliban(hereafter termed the Taliban)quickly regrouped and set up a horizontal organizational structure in which their ethnic composition became increasingly diverse and their ideology appeared more pragmatic and moderate.The Taliban accommodated the political culture and demands of the vast rural and tribal societies of Afghanistan by providing necessary public goods and satisfying the need of local communities for survival and security.Hence,the Afghan society was mobilized.By contrast,the Afghan government failed miserably in its efforts to centralize power and develop rural areas,which resulted in lessened efficiency of the governance of the Afghan state due to intense competition among ethnic groups.Gradually,the Taliban filled the power vacuums in the countryside,eroding and dismantling the local institutions of the Afghan government.Ultimately,it returned to power during the withdrawal of the United States(US)troops from the country.Nevertheless,a long list of major challenges is awaiting the Taliban,including the reconfiguration of its loosely organized structure and the building of a sociopolitical system capable of melding Islamic traditions with modern spirits.In this manner,power sharing,political inclusiveness,and economic growth can be achieved in Afghanistan,and the country can be reaccepted into the international community.
基金a project supported by the National Social Science Fund of China on “Islamic Radicalism and De-extremization” (20BZJ035)。
文摘The Afghan Taliban(hereafter termed the Taliban) has returned to power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops from the country. However, acquiring political legitimacy at home and winning international recognition abroad remain daunting tasks for the Taliban, which will largely hinge on the group's transition away from its previously radical ideology. The ideology of the Taliban can be categorized as a brand of traditional Islamism blended with unique Afghan characteristics, which incorporates a variety of elements ranging from Deobandism, Pashtun rural and tribal cultures, Wahhabism, and Salafism to political Islam and carries a combination of many attributes. For instance, it emphasizes religious legitimacy stemming from the outward display of piety but overlooks the importance of political legitimacy. Moreover, it pursues Pashtun supremacy and practices sectarianism. However, driven by the needs of successive resistance and governance, the ideology of the Taliban has been undergoing a transition in recent years. Notably, pragmatism has begun to emerge, along with pluralism and religious inclusion;the emphasis on outward manifestations of piety has been reduced;efforts have been made to seek integration into the international system;and there appears to be a willingness to follow international norms. Despite all that, the core of the Taliban ideology remains intact, which still falls within the ambit of Islamism, as evidenced by the theocratic regime it has established in Afghanistan and its governing philosophies that advocate mullahs running the country. The Taliban has been shifting its ideology toward modern Islamism, which lacks successful governance practice. As an armed religious group, the Taliban faces tough challenges in governing the country, which include, but are not limited to, conservative mindsets and skill deficits. To tackle the challenges effectively, the Taliban should continue to focus on political legitimacy and advance the transition of its ideology.
文摘Pakistan is one of the most important players as well as a playground frontier of the global war on terrorism beginning from September 11 to the present. In this paper we delineate the complexities of the war against terrorism taking a social network approach. The paper argues that one of the main challenges for fighting terrorism in places such as Pakistan is the social network ties which exit between the different constituencies, sometimes constituencies which are seemingly on opposing sides. The paper uses social capital of organizations to map the capital and liabilities of strong and weak ties between the Pakistani intelligence service (ISI) and the Taliban and how they change over time.
文摘From the beginnings of Wahabism in the 18th century to the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant （ISIL, ISIS） violence has occasionally been justified in the name of Islam, which is problematic for secular and traditional scholars alike. This paper demonstrates that there are three complex, interrelated causes for this violence： foreign military intervention, Salafi-Jihadism and a utopian state founded upon faith and justice, i.e. a caliphate.
文摘Current geopolitical strategies of countries or trading partners reflect a“New Great Game”in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic,especially across Eurasia.Strategies range from modification of China’s decade-long“Belt and Road”Initiative,Russian Federation’s Eurasian Union,to Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific geopolitical program,coupled with“Build Back Better World”(“B3W”)initiative advanced by the Group of Seven(G7)at its 12 June 2021 meeting at Carbis Bay,Cornwall,England.This came as United States forces withdrew from Afghanistan chaotically.Russia,China,and the West each compete to become the more effective chess player in Eurasia.Competitor countries have developed traditional and novel soft power tools to construct relationships across that supercontinent.What countries will endure,meet the test of time?This chapter will address those issues individually,collectively,drawing upon forecasts advanced in this century,post-pandemic assessments,with triangulation of information available currently in the literature of“New Great Game”players.Much is at stake,from Eurasia’s future to prospective statehood in East Turkmenistan(China’s Xinjiang)to peace across Asia,global tranquility.All nations must meet global expectations and regulations,be rewarded when they do,ostracized in failure.Brazil,India,and countries driving trade should be considered seriously for greater roles in global governance.
文摘There has been widespread cooperation and intervention by the international community in the reconstruction of post-conflict countries,and maintaining security and stability and assistance for economic recovery and development have been positioned as two indispensable wheels(Security-Development Nexus)in the rebuilding process of unstable countries.One of the most typical examples of the international community's involvement in post-conflict state-building was its support for Afghanistan after 2002.However,despite its efforts over 20 years,the Taliban seized all of Afghanistan in 2021,resulting in the collapse of 20 years of international community support for the building of a democratic state.This paper attempts to recapitulate the international community’s ambitious 20-year Security and Development efforts in Afghanistan,where the resulting failure lies and what lessons can be learned.The key points are:(1)the limitations of the UN’s role and the fact that it had continued to provide assistance without a clear“exit strategy”,(2)the security circle and the development circle had different objectives,and their collaboration was not effectively conducted,(3)the failure to include Taliban in the initial political process of the new state.
文摘Marking a new chapter of extremism as well as terrorism in South Asia,Pakistani Taliban movement is a product of the regional geo-political changes.Taliban’s penetration into Pakistan and its expansion from FATA and NWFP to the hinterland have been well-known as“the Talibanization of Pakistan”.As a matter of fact,this process is“the Pakistanization of Taliban”too.Since its birth in December 2007,Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP)has been evolving some new characters which in some sense differs from its Afghanistan counterpart.Notwithstanding Pakistan military establishment’s massive action since 2009,TTP is now integrating kinds of militant groups into its terrorist enterprise,which not only puts Pakistan into difficulty but also breeds new variables for the regional politics.
文摘The ideological transition within the Taliban movement has witnessed several trajectories.Starting from a socio-cultural movement for bringing about law and order in the society as the ruler of Kabul in the mid-1990s;the movement experienced various phases where its norms and practices appeared alien to the socio-cultural fabric of the majority part of the modern Afghan state.At the present juncture,the movement’s aim is to become the ruler of Kabul again but with a new outlook.The movement and its leadership have entered an epoch different from the old Taliban to neo-Taliban and presents themselves as chief propagators of peace within the organisation that only reflects the Taliban’s desperate attempt to save the movement and present it as an alternative to the US backed Afghan government.
文摘As a major player in South Asia,India’s priority in Afghanistan is to support the Afghan government established after 2001.However,the political and security challenges after the announcement of US military withdrawal from Afghanistan have significantly impacted India.Afghanistan is facing a dual challenge on both security and political levels.On the security level,although the counter-insurgency measures taken by both international forces led by the US and Afghan forces have lasted for more than a decade,Taliban and other Islamic extremist groups continue to exert their strong political and security influence all across Afghanistan.At the political level,the new unity government,formed by Dr.President Ashraf Ghani and Dr.Abdullah,Chief Executive Officer,after the two terms of the presidency of Hamid Karzai,shows possible divisions and uncertainty.To address the new challenges,on the one hand,India tries to continue its“soft measures”to safeguard its interests in Afghanistan,while on the other hand,India strengthens the cooperation with international organizations and other regional states to create positive conditions for Afghan stability and reconstruction.However,given the political uncertainty and worsening security surroundings in Afghanistan,India still faces several challenges.
文摘Pashtuns have been subjected to the colonially constructed representation of themselves which is grounded on certain generalisations and stereotypes that were framed and propagated during the time of British military encounters with the frontier tribes,residing in Afghanistan and present day Pakistan’s frontier region.The oriental representation of the Pashtuns in western academic writings is the result of the vast literature that were produced based on the experiences of British military expeditions against the so-called tribal Pashtuns.Although throughout history there have been instances of non-violent movements initiated by the Pashtuns,the persistence of colonial knowledge has made it impossible to deconstruct the notion surrounding Pashtuns as‘inherently ferocious’and‘violent’in nature from the popular conscience.In such an environment the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement(PTM),a non-violent human rights movement in Pakistan,is trying to present a counter narrative to the image of‘Violent Pashtuns’from the popular discourse at present.This research critically analyses the representation of Pashtuns in both past and the contemporary literature and other popular media which help in building narratives and deciding on the policies of the state(Pakistan)and other(religious,social or political)organisations towards this group.It highlights the importance of rising beyond the orientalist discourse to focus more on local narratives in understanding about the Pashtuns and their problems.
