Religion and International Security

Religion and International Security Religious-based conflicts      The Crusades (8, between 1095-1291) Ireland Middle East India/Pakistan Yugoslavia – Bosnia Serbs (Orthodox), Bosnian Muslims, Croatians (Catholics), Serbs from Serbia Religion a “cleavage”   Cleavage: Social division Others: – – – – Class Gender Nationality Geographic, e.g., urban vs. rural  Cross-cutting vs. cumulative cleavages: conflict MOST LIKELY when cumulative Cleavages, cont.  Example of cumulative: – Class and religious differences largely coincide in Northern Ireland   Catholics tend to be less well off Protestants more well off  Example of cross-cutting: – Nationality, class, fundamentalist/secular cleavage “cross-cut” religion in Islamic world The Islamic World Islam: Key terms      Islam, Muslim Muhammad (570-632) – Prophet, who received Allah’s teachings in a vision Allah Koran – Holy book containing Allah’s teachings Islamic law Sharia – Key terms, cont.  Ummah – – Spiritual unity of Muslims; an unrealized goal. Distinction between the dar al-Islam (Muslim-held lands) and dar al-harb (domain of unbelief, or the “sphere of war”). Literally, means “struggle;” “striving in the path of God” Struggle for inner spirituality, struggle against distortions of Islam? Armed struggle against infidels?  Jihad – – – A “comprehensive” religion  Five pillars required of Muslims: – – – – – Affirming that God is one Prayer (five times a day) Giving charity Fasting during Ramadan Making a pilgrimage to Mecca  Note, jihad is not one of five pillars Islam’s political heritage    Triumphant past – Huge empire, from 7th century to World War I Clashes with Christian powers, e.g., in Crusades. Recent history of domination by others. Europeans dominate Islamic world in first half of twentieth century Islam today  Unifying elements: Combined population of over 1 billion  Organized in Organization of Islamic Conference  Common causes: support for PLO, opposition to Israel, US, pride in Pakistan’s nuclear program  Divisions in Islam    Nationalism on state level (many new states, strong national identities) Ethnic differences e.g., Indonesians vs. Arabs Religious differences: Fundamentalists (traditionalists) vs. secularists  Majority Sunnis vs. minority Shi’ites  Divisions, cont.    Sunnis: 85% of Muslims – Saudi Arabia, Iraq Shi’ites: Iran, southern Iraq, parts of Lebanon Radical sect: Wahhabism – – – Practiced by Osama bin Laden, many in Saudi Arabia, Taliban in Afghanistan Against any modernizations that deviate from original teachings of Koran Messianism of Wahhabis. Intent on spreading faith Islam and Democracy  Can democracy exist when there is no separation of church and state? – Example of Israel and Judaism?  Examples of Fundamentalist Iran, Secular Turkey? – – – Presidential and parliamentary elections in Iran All candidates (in Iran) must be approved by clerics, support ideals of Iranian revolution Problems with Kurdish rights in Turkey (1/5 of pop) Islam and war       Prophet forbids harm to noncombatants. Prophet prohibits poisoning wells Prophet prohibited using fire as a means to kill another being Prophet prohibits suicide Islamic law prohibits damage to property in war Fighting for purpose of self-defense only Osama Bin Laden’s arguments  Martyrdom is permissible on the battlefield. – – – Israel is considered a battlefield, because Israeli troops have evicted Palestinians from their homes Saudi Arabia is a battlefield, because it has let American troops in, near Muslim holy sites As of 1996, US considered a battleground    Support for Israel Occupation of Saudi Arabia’s holy ground Blockade against Iraq