Radicalization and De-Radicalization between National and Global Jihadism: From the First Egyptian National Jihadists to al-Qaeda

At the turn of the Twenty-first century, some violent jihadi groups laid down their arms and initiated processes of ideological de-radicalization and doctrinal changes. Sara Brzuszkiewicz argues that this was possible for national jihadists, but not for global jihadists, as the latter is no longer possible for an organic process of collective and political de-radicalization to happen.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 04 December 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, a remarkable phenomenon unfolded as several violent jihadi groups renounced their armed struggle, exemplified by countries like Egypt and Libya. Many of these former fighters abandoned their violent ways, and some even took proactive steps towards ideological de-radicalization and doctrinal shifts that fundamentally altered their stance towards the State and active confrontation. How did these groups manage to disengage and de-radicalize? Why has this process not been replicated among other contemporary jihadists? In her insightful analysis, Sara Brzuszkiewicz suggests a straightforward yet somewhat pessimistic answer: those who de-radicalized were predominantly national jihadists. Once the scope of jihad expands beyond national borders, the possibility of an organic collective and political de-radicalization becomes exceedingly challenging. This essay delves into the dynamics of radicalization and de-radicalization between national and global jihadism, tracing the journey of jihadists who have abandoned their extremist ideologies and examining the role of national jihadism in making de-radicalization a viable option.

The first Egyptian national jihadists emerged in the late 19th century, driven by a desire to reclaim the Holy Land from Ottoman rule. These early pioneers, such as Muhammad Ali Pasha and Hassan al-Banna, sought to establish a Muslim state that would uphold Islamic principles and values. However, their efforts were met with resistance from both the Ottoman Empire and local Arab tribes.

Despite these challenges, the Egyptian national jihadists continued to fight for their cause, and their numbers grew steadily. In the early 20th century, they were able to secure significant victories against the Ottoman Empire, including the Battle of al-Quds in 1917. This victory not only boosted their morale but also solidified their position as a major force in the region.

However, the rise of fascism and the emergence of the **** regime in Europe posed a new threat to the Egyptian national jihadists. The ***** viewed the Muslim world as a potential threat to their expansionist ambitions, and they launched a campaign of persecution and extermination against the Arab and Muslim populations.

In response to this threat, the Egyptian national jihadists formed a new organization called Al Qaeda in 1988. The group's primary goal was to combat the oppression and tyranny of the Soviet Union and its allies in the Middle East and Central Asia. Al Qaeda quickly gained a reputation for its extreme violence and its willingness to use any means necessary to achieve its goals.

Over the years, Al Qaeda expanded its operations to include other regions, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The group became known for its terrorist attacks, including the September 11th attacks in 2001, which killed thousands of people and caused widespread devastation.

Despite these setbacks, Al Qaeda continued to recruit new members and maintain its presence in various parts of the world. The group's ideology was based on a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam, which emphasized the need for a global jihad against Western imperialism and Zionism.

However, in the early 2000s, a number of Al Qaeda leaders began to question the group's tactics and its adherence to a strict interpretation of Islam. They argued that the group's focus on violence and destruction was not in line with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and that it was alienating potential supporters.

As a result, a split occurred within Al Qaeda, with one faction seeking to moderate the group's ideology and focus on building grassroots support. This faction was led by former Al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2006.

The other faction, led by Osama bin Laden, continued to promote a more extreme version of Islam and continued to carry out terrorist attacks. Bin Laden was eventually killed by US forces in 2011, ending the leadership of Al Qaeda.

Since the death of bin Laden, Al Qaeda has continued to exist as a decentralized organization, with various branches and affiliates operating in different parts of the world. The group has continued to recruit new members and maintain its presence in regions such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

However, the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014 has posed a new challenge to the global jihadist movement. ISIS is a Sunni extremist group that seeks to establish a caliphate, or Islamic state, across the Middle East and North Africa. The group has gained a significant following among Sunni Muslims who are dissatisfied with the political and social conditions in their countries and who see ISIS as a means of achieving their goals.

ISIS has used a combination of brutal violence and propaganda to attract new members and gain support. The group has carried out a series of terrorist attacks, including the beheading of Western journalists and aid workers and the execution of thousands of Syrian and Iraqi civilians.

In response to the threat posed by ISIS, a number of jihadi groups have formed coalitions to combat the group. These coalitions include the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is a coalition of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters, and the Islamic State Coalition (ISC), which is a coalition of Arab and Western countries.

Despite these efforts, the fight against ISIS has been challenging, and the group has continued to gain territory and recruit new members. The group's ideology is based on a strict interpretation of Islam, which emphasizes the need for a global jihad against Western imperialism and Zionism.

In conclusion, the history of radicalization and de-radicalization between national and global jihadism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. National jihadists have played a significant role in the de-radicalization of some jihadists, but the process has been challenging and has not been replicated among other contemporary jihadists. The rise of global jihadism has posed a new challenge to the jihadi movement, and the fight against ISIS has been particularly difficult. The group's ideology is based on a strict interpretation of Islam, which emphasizes the need for a global jihad against Western imperialism and Zionism.

Weight: 467g
Dimension: 237 x 159 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666940107