Confronting the Caliphate: Civil Resistance in Jihadist Proto-States

Jihadist rebel groups that seize control of territory, assert authority over its people, and impose radical religious laws have become a growing security concern. In Confronting the Caliphate, Isak Svensson and co-authors examine the potential for civil resistance against jihadist armed groups. They draw from a survey on civil resistance against the Islamic State in Mosul, as well as contemporary Arab-language social media blogs and news websites, to document protests against jihadists in Syria and Lebanon. The book demonstrates that the international character of jihadist groups is often perceived as alien to local customs, triggering resistance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Over the past decade, the emergence of jihadist rebel groups that seize control of territory, assert authority over its population, and impose radical religious laws has posed a growing security concern. These groups, known for their brutal and authoritarian nature, have gained widespread notoriety, with the Islamic State (IS) being the most prominent manifestation of this phenomenon. While the IS has faced significant setbacks in recent years, most experts agree that the problem of jihadist violence remains far from resolved, and there is a possibility that the group may re-configure itself in the future. Moreover, the security threat posed by violent jihadism extends beyond Iraq and Syria, as it remains an acute issue in various regions.

Despite the gravity of the situation, there has been limited systematic exploration of the potential for civil resistance against jihadist armed groups. In their book, Confronting the Caliphate, Isak Svensson and a team of co-authors seek to address this gap by focusing on a core set of questions. They explore what civilians who oppose the jihadists' attempt to rule can do to manifest their dissent and to what extent they are engaging in acts of resistance against jihadist rebel rule. The authors also examine the nature and extent of such resistance and investigate whether it can influence the trajectories of jihadist proto-states.

New military and political realities in Iraq and Syria have created an opportunity for generating new knowledge in areas where the IS has been pushed back. The authors draw from a novel survey conducted in Mosul after the IS lost control of the city, which provides valuable insights into the extent and character of resistance behavior against the IS. Additionally, the authors utilize contemporary Arab-language social media blogs and news websites to document protests against jihadists in Syria and conduct interviews with activists and witnesses to gather firsthand accounts of resistance efforts.

The book offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by civilians in regions under jihadist control and highlights the importance of civil resistance in countering the threat posed by these groups. It provides valuable insights into the strategies and tactics employed by resistance movements and the role that international support can play in fostering and strengthening civil resistance. Confronting the Caliphate is a timely and important contribution to the literature on counterterrorism and conflict resolution, and it will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and activists alike.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 162 x 243 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197605608