The shortcut to deradicalisation is the long road

Every Arab state, regardless of the extent to which it is involved in combating violent extremism, must recognise that there is no shortcut to defeating this scourge, and those who are looking for quick fixes are in for a rude awakening. Whereas military force is selectively necessary to destroy irredeemably ruthless and bloodthirsty organisations such as ISIS, to neutralise violent extremism in the long-term, no amount of military muscle will suffice. The Arab states must realise that the root causes of radicalisation are embedded in their internal socio-economic and political disorder. Only by undertaking systematic and consistent measures to cure this domestic malaise, violent radicalisation will abate. Although the West has not been without fault and contributed to the plight of the Arab masses, Arab leaders can no longer blame their problems on Western powers. The convergence of a plethora of jihadist groups into Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen is not accidental and as long as grievances, hopelessness and desolation prevail, they will continue to provide fertile ground for radical Islamists to step in and capitalise on public despair.

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Professor of International Relations
Center for Global Affairs, NYU