Book on terrorism launched: America’s war, method, target questionable: Sartaj Aziz

“The Thistle and the Drone: How America’s War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam,”

Director General ISSI Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais

Islamabad—The Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad organized a launch of book, “The Thistle and the Drone: How America’s War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam,” and a public Talk Wednesday on “The Thistle and the Drone: Relations Between the Center and the Provinces” by Prof Akbar S. Ahmed Ibn Khaldun, Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington DC & Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution. Mr.Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs chaired.

The Director General ISSI Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais in his welcome remarks said that Prof Akbar Ahmad is one of the few Pakistanis who have attained international recognition.

Prof Akbar S. Ahmed said the drone became a symbol of America’s war on terror. Its main targets appeared to be Muslim tribal groups belonging to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Kurds in Turkey and Tausug in the Philippines. Further, drones are also used by the US against the Paukhtun tribes of Afghanistan, by France in northern Mali against the Tuareg, and by Israel in Gaza. Prof Ahmed said that these communities - some of the most impoverished and isolated in the world, with identities that are centuries old had become the targets of the twenty-first centuries most advanced kill technology. He said that drone embodied the weaponry of globalisation: high tech in performance, sleek in appearance and global in reach. Professor Ahmad briefly talked about tribal societies. He focused on four major groups: the Pukhtun, Yemenis, Somalis and Kurds. According to Professor Ahmed, these communities lived by an ancient code of honor embodied in the behaviour of elders and over the centuries, orally transmitted from generation to generation. He briefly said that as the drone is an appropriate metaphor for the current age of globalisation, the thistle captures the essence of tribal societies. Prof Ahmed also discussed ‘Waziristan Model.” He also talked about three pillars essential for the stability of the culture: 1. tribal elders, 2. Mullah, and 3. Political agent.

According to him these three pillars are collapsing. He further said that several major developments took place in 2004: 1) President Musharraf weakened political administration, 2) Military invasion in tribal areas, 3) Drone strikes, 4) Emergence of militant groups in tribal areas. He also talked about cause and effect. In addition, he discussed the relation between center and periphery and the involvement of the United States that has fueled the war on terror. No one is immune to this violence—neither school children nor congregations in their houses of worship. Battered by military or drone strikes one day and suicide bombers the next, people on the periphery say, “Every day is like 9/11 for us.” He said that center needs to incorporate the periphery in mainstream.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz in his address said that the use of drones against tribal people is paradoxical. He said that in dissecting the conflict, the analogy of thistle and the drones is very revealing. He also talked about total ignorance about the values and realities of tribal societies. He said that each chapter of the book elaborates theme into its varying dimensions. He said that America is fighting the wrong war with wrong methods against the wrong people.

The chairman of the ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mehmood, said that ethnicity and tribal identity is a crucial factor to terrorism. Also clash between center and periphery is significant to terrorism. He further said that Islam might be a contributory factor to extremism but not a driving force. He believes that the government needs to develop strong counter narrative to the people of the tribal area. He said it is important to understand the aspiration and grievances of the people of the tribal area. He said use of drones which are also inflicting havoc on innocent civilians is not merely a question of legality and constitutionally. It is above all a humanitarian question.