Terrorism and Transnational Threats

After the 2. WW, the new order was established. The system became pre capitalist, and the imperial system was abolished. New states promised not to fight again because the new system is based on democracy and democratic states cannot fight or struggle with each other, it is principle of the new world. When war ended the international system became multipolar, which were the USA and The Soviet Union. As soon as the war ended, a period called the cold war began between the two poles, in which there was no close contact but a great struggle. At this period, the proxy war method is used, also it is used today as well. It means that states expand their spheres of influence without using their own forces but instead using organizations and mercenaries. According to Obakhedo & Igbınovia(2020), the Sicarii was the first terrorist organization, which was based on Jewish nationalism in Jerusalem under Roman control. History can give hundreds of examples from past to present, but this article will focus on recent past organizations and the transnational threats posed by these organizations. According to the UN, there are 60 terror organizations around the world. At this point, a very important question arises: why do most of these organizations originate in this region? With that question, the number of those organizations is increasing as well, and there is no permanent solution. Terrorist organizations bring conflicts with their selves, which are the problem of sovereignty and stability. Those problems make the states weak and unstable, eventually destroys states. There is an invisible connection between collapsed states and transnational problems because states need each other and if one state is missing from the system, this situation will drag the others into chaos. States must focus on why terrorism is emerging, reasons for that organizations are crucial for survival of states. There are some reasons, which cause creating terrorist organizations and transnational threats such as unstable states, oppressive regimes and unresolved problems.

Firstly, unstable states are one of the negative reasons of the emergence of international threats. After World War II, former colonies were placed under the control of imperial powers, under mandate rule. The aim was to ensure the full independence of the states under mandate rule, while simultaneously keeping them under control and teaching them the principles of statehood. Kasalak (1991), in his article titled "The Problem of Mandate and Protectorate in the War of Independence," states that after the war, ensuring the development of states and former colonies that could not govern themselves was defined as a civilizational duty. The most suitable method to achieve this goal was adopted as transferring the administration of these societies to developed countries that had sufficient resources, experience, and suitable conditions. Mandate system was production of the League of Nations (1920-1946) but it was based on Woodrow Wilson's 14 Principles. After World War I, Syria, which was Ottoman territory, was lost, and a short-lived kingdom was established by Faisal bin Hussein. Following the collapse of this kingdom, at the San Remo Conference, Syria became a French mandate state. It remained under French control until 1946, but never truly became a state. This situation has made Syria a central hub for terrorism and ethnic and sectarian conflicts, the best-known examples being the Alawite-Sunni civil war and the presence of ISIS between 2013 and 2017.

Secondly, another reason that creates transnational threats and fuels terrorism is oppressive regimes. Oppressive regimes are often formed through coups. Because they are long-lasting, they create an insecure environment over time, which in turn brings about many problems, including civil war, but the biggest problem that an insecure environment can bring is terrorism. One of the best-known examples of an oppressive regime is the Iranian Islamic Revolution. Before this, the Iranian kingdom, representing the Aryan race, experienced an Islamic revolution fueled by the rise of Shia nationalism. The leader of this revolution was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. To maintain the order established after the Islamic Revolution, the mullahs decided to create a paramilitary force, resulting in the formation of two new units: the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Jerusalem Force. Oppressive regimes eventually create an environment conducive to civil war, and this civil war can destroy or divide the state. The most fitting example of this was Hafez al-Assad's coup in Syria. After the Hafez al-Asad's coup, Hafez al-Assad ruled until 2000. Then his son Bashar al-Assad came to power, but he brought bad times with him. Emre (2021, p.56) explains that ‘’It was the Assad regime that was primarily responsible for sectarianizing the conflict by using violence against the opposition groups to provoke them into a war that it thought it could win easily.’’

Finally, the final reason that triggers transnational threats and gives rise to terrorism is unresolved problems or matters or issues. After the First and Second World Wars, to quickly establish a new order, the great powers and the states that followed them ignored the problems that existed before and during the wars. This situation brought regional instability, and further instability for the states that ignored these problems. It caused internal divisions within states, as in the examples of Syria and Iraq. The underlying reason for these divisions is that these countries, despite their multi-ethnic structures, see themselves as a single nation. The disregard and denial of rights to different ethnic groups can inevitably lead countries with such discourse to division or collapse. There are many unresolved issues around the world, many of which have persisted from the past to the present. The best known of these is the Armenian question. The Armenian question dates to 1862, to the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, with the aim of separating from the Ottoman Empire and establishing a Greater Armenia, in line with the nationalist movement imported from France. However, this rebellion continued until 1915, when the Armenians of Anatolia were subjected to deportation, and approximately 60% of the Armenian population died during this deportation. This deportation is a continuation of the unending hatred and conflict between the two sides; exactly 60 years after this deportation, the next generation founded the ASALA terrorist organization. Hakobyan (2020) announces ASALA’s primary aim that ‘’the main aim of the army would be to bring the Armenian Cause back to international politics by implementing different military operations’’ (p.15)

Consequently, emerging of the terrorist organizations and transnational threats with link some reasons, which are extinct states, tyrannical regimes and problems from the past to the present. All these assets constitute transnational threats. Terrorist organizations are used in creating these threats. It is very difficult to know the source, structure, and strength of terrorist organizations, which is why destroying them is impossible. Transnational threats pit nations against each other and divide the international community. This leads to global wars and major economic crises. The international system is composed of interdependent states; if a transnational threat emerges, international trade is disrupted, resulting in famine and major economic crises.

References

Hakobyan, I. (2020). ASALA: The perception of current generation.American University of Armenia, p. 15.

Emre, M. (2021). The role of external actors in constitution-making processes: The case study of Syrian post-conflict constitution-making process. Sabancı University, p.56.

Kasalak, K. (1991). The problem of mandate and protectorate in the War of Independence. Ankara University.

Obakhedo, N. O., & Igbinovia, D. O. (2020). Terror and terrorism (I): The path of history from Sicarii Zealots to Sons of Liberty. University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

 

            MEHMET BARIŞ YILDIZ