Is It A New War Against Terrorism?

The recent extremist uprisings in the Middle East are one of the most alarming international news of this year. International community seems to fail with generating new efficient ideas how to deal with this ordeal. The IS is spreading steadily its influence and is gaining support among people. Countries at stake: fragile Iraq and turbulent Syria. Is the USA again at war with terrorist? RIAC has gathered opinions from renowned foreign experts.

The recent extremist uprisings in the Middle East are one of the most alarming international news of this year. International community seems to fail with generating new efficient ideas how to deal with this ordeal.

The IS is spreading steadily its influence and is gaining support among people.

Countries at stake: fragile Iraq and turbulent Syria. Is the USA again at war with terrorist?

RIAC has gathered opinions from renowned foreign experts.

Dr Sohail Mahmood: The sudden rise of the IS was treated as a good omen by radical Islamists over the world

Associate Dean & Head, Department of International Relations at Preston University, Islamabad

War against the "Islamic State"?

Sohail Mahmood

The current position of the USA toward the Islamic State (IS) does not necessarily mean the launching of a new round of war on terror. The USA is opposing the IS but will not intervene meaningfully to stop its advancement. Britain and Saudi Arabia will be the major allies but their assistance won’t matter much in all reality.

Syrian crisis

Given assistance of Iran and Russia, Assad will likely remain in power for some time. Eventually, Assad will be removed from power as his opposition gets stronger and gets outside support for the purpose. The Assad regime is but small ruling elite which cannot possibly remain in power for very long as the opposition to it is formidable. Assad has largely been discredited by the use of force against his own people. However, he will continue to remain in power for the time being because his opposition isn’t strong enough nor united enough to pose a decisive military challenge to the ruling regime.

Rise of the Islamists in different parts of the world

The threat is serious enough and Islamists elsewhere will be encouraged by it greater successes, if and when they happen. The IS has already captured the imaginations of radical Islamists elsewhere in the Islamic world. The sudden rise of the IS was treated as a good omen by radical Islamists the world over. However, ultimate impact of the IS phenomenon remains to be seen. It all depends on the further successes of the IS in the region.

Mehdi Dehnavi

Mehdi Dehnavi: No hope for a succesful campaign against terrorism without Russia and Iran

Project Director at Center for Strategic Defense Research

All Countries Must Work Together to Eradicate Terrorism

War on terror policies after the 9.11 attacks has become fundamental to the United States National Security Strategy. They even sought to prevent terrorists from reaching America's shores. This is good. But be honest. Terrorism is sinister and dangerous. All countries must work together to eradicate it.

Syrian Defeat for America

America is on the road with unquestioning support of the Syrian armed opposition, which is a way to grow and strengthen radical groups whose activities paved the name of Islam. There is no doubt that the Assad government in Syria today, with the direct support of the governments of Iran and Russia is in the rule. It is considered a defeat for America and its allies. They are looking to improve their standing position in the eyes of world’s public opinion.

A New War Against Terrorism

Apparently this is the new war against terrorism which awaits the performance of these countries led by America and the results of it. Western Europe is expected to follow America. If the relationship between the influential and powerful countries like Russia and Iran (for its spiritual power and cultural and religious roots are common to the Iraqi people, regardless of military power and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qods Force) does not help, there is little hope for the success of these efforts.

Interviewer, Tatiana Bogdasarova, RIAC coordinator