The geo-politics of 'Political Islam'

THERE is an arc of crisis already developed, with much further to go, across the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden with all the surrounding counties involved; Ethiopia, Eretria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the possibility of pulling in other neighbouring countries too.

The crisis is at every level of the societies' concerned: political, economic; in fact society itself.

For people in the worst hit countries, many face destitution, war, famine, massive displacement; the great horsemen of the apocalypse hovers over everything. As Western, and particularly American invasions threaten, so the prospects for the horrors of Somalia last decade increase

I think it is clear that mujahideen everywhere, trained and hardened by the first Afghan war, and at times financed by the US are very much involved. The Iraq war and the ongoing Afghan and Pakistan wars continue to provide a cadre of fighters in all of the countries involved.

Western and Eastern interests are everywhere, shipping into and out of the Suez Canal; the struggle to own or control mineral resources; but above all, the fear of "Political Islam". The Western powers fear of political Islam is a dominant force driving the US to war throughout the region. Some will argue, as I would, that this is thoroughly misunderstood. But the hatred of all things Islamic is a mantra which is everywhere in Western media. The ruling and political classes use this fear to drive their own "War against Terrorism".

The consequences are an automatic intervention by Western armed forces, both directly, and with proxy armies, making the conflicts and contradictions of the region significantly worse. I cannot imagine the new development of drone aircraft strikes, as a disastrous military strategy.

Hovering over everything else is the world financial crisis.

Are there solutions?

In principle there are always solutions, whether the fighting parties wish to avail themselves is another matter. As I see it, the Western forces have to pull out completely. They have to set up International Development Banks on the model of German Development bank.

They have to be supplied with sufficient capital to lend to develop major infrastructure throughout the region. The conditions for economic development on a massive scale would over some years bring jobs and peace.

Can an imperial leopard change its spots?

Dr. Roger van Zwanenberg is the Chair & Commissioning Editor of Pluto Press in London. He contributed this article to The Brunei Times. Visit: www.plutobooks.com.