Political economy of terrorism
Major victims of terrorism since 9/11 are the Arabs and the South Asian nationals in terms of total numbers of deaths and attacks as per the Oklahoma-based Memorial Institute for Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) database. MIPT was set up after the deadly terrorist attack on the Oklahoma Federal Building on 4/19/1995 in which 168 died and nearly 800 were injured. Mainly due to U.S. government's efforts, the total fatalities in North America have dramatically decreased by 99.7% since 9/11. In contrast, terrorist attacks and fatalities sharply increased throughout the globe especially in the Middle East and South Asian regions. For example, while there were a total of 1,669 fatalities in South Asia and 710 in the Middle East region before 9/11 they sharply shot up to 7,452 in South Asia and 23,999 in the Middle East region after 9/11. In fact, the average global growth of terrorist 'attacks', 'fatalities' and 'injuries' increased by 313%, 313% and 243% respectively since 9/11 (see table). However, 99% victims of terrorism are non-US citizens and 90% targets are non-US facilities. The attack against US citizens and facilities is highest in the Middle East (83%), followed by South Asia (9%), Western Hemisphere (5%), and Europe (3%). If national security deteriorates and frustration and hopelessness aggravate, there is indeed possibility of further increase of terrorism and more importantly, scope for creation of 'jehadi' recruitment environment [examples: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Palestine]. However, there is also greater chance of receiving US funds (for example, Pakistan and Afghanistan). In addition, people who have been living in these countries are likely to migrate to the industrialized counties for a safer living away from uncertainty, and economic and social hardships. Such migration will increase in spite of erecting higher and higher entry barriers to the industrialized countries. Currently, there is a false perception in the terrorist-prone regions such as South Asia and Middle East that the US is somehow behind terrorism. The US does not like the local moderate groups that are opposed to terrorism. Instead, the State Department arranges funding to Imams and Madrasa graduates that are generally linked to terrorism. It also maintains strong relationship with the Islamic fundamentalist parties. It invited leaders of fundamentalist parties as guests knowing fully well that many were once members of a militant youth fundamentalist group. In addition, these guests reportedly protected the jehadi terrorists like members of the JMB (Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh), the JMJB (Jagroto Muslim Janatha Bangladesh) and the HUJIB (Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh) under various pretexts. When the State Department officials meet them and their stories come out in front pages, those who oppose terrorism, they simply get dumbfounded. They find double standard in President Bush's 'war on terrorism' policy. It is also believed, wrongly or rightly, that the security intelligence forces are behind the terrorist acts in the regions through jehadi recruitments or paid mercenaries, maybe to enhance their budgets. Whenever there is any terrorist bomb blast in India, they normally blame the ISI of Pakistan, and Pakistan equally blames the RAW for terrorist attacks. At times Bangladesh is blamed for sheltering terrorists of Myanmar, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura, as Pakistan is blamed for deaths in Kashmir or Mumbai. Political weaknesses and vacuum created after the withdrawal of Russian forces in Afghanistan led to creation of Taliban and the Al-Qaeda. In the case of Iraq, rapid destruction of old institutions after the fall of Saddam Hussein created more insurgents and an unorganized withdrawal may create vacuum. In case of Palestine, Kashmir, Sri Lanka or Chechnya, the growth of terrorism is the result of occupation and denial of the civil and human rights to its people. It is believed that perception of injustice and unfairness meted to Palestinians, Kashmiris, Iraqis, et al led young and educated minds to go for homegrown terrorism in UK. Political subjugation, suspension of civil rights and rule of law, denial of human rights, and especially the rule of military-cum-technocratic governments in Pakistan accentuated the rise of fundamentalist parties in Pakistan. Thousands have been arrested or killed in Pakistan. In spite of such strong actions; Pakistan has become an epicenter of terrorism. Democracy finds difficulty to sustain in Muslim countries. Out of 57 OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) countries, only a handful is partly democratic. Bangladesh was one of such luminaries and its economic and social performance under democracy in spite of polarization and indiscipline was much superior to that of its non-elected civil-military-technocratic governments of the past. The author is professor Economics and Business Management, Boston.
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