Bangladesh: Secular - v- Islamist?

[Firn]

Regardless, these kids weren't motivated by poverty or not having jobs. They were well do to kids. In some ways it reminds me many who join for left militant groups or protests, and then when they're interviewed they prove they have no knowledge (except for a limited number) of what they're fighting for, what they're protesting against, it is just something cool to do. We tend to ignore the psychological aspects when we focus on the political factors, which at times can be a red herring.

Aren't the higher strata of Arab society also overreppresented in the rank of the Daesh? Maybe somebody has some study at hand...

Obviously that vile murder of foreigners, among them many Italians will have a negative effect on the economy.


*On a side note a distant relative of mine was a Catholic priest in Bangladesh during British Rule. Another, more distant one was murdered in China over a hundred years ago while serving as Franciscan friar. Nothing new under the sun...

[Bill Moore]

There have been studies pointing this out, but it doesn't fit our popular narrative about addressing underlying issues related to poverty and governance. Those factors generally play a large role in insurgencies, and at times this type of terrorism and insurgencies overlap, but it is not a one size fits all.

[davidbfpo]

There is a short thread Poverty & Militancy do not mix, from 2012-2015:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ad.php?t=16304

This may help readers.

[davidbfpo]

A good backgrounder on simmering, often violent Bangladesh:http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2016/07...-first-attack/

[davidbfpo]

A background article on Islamist terrorism in Bangladesh, by Professor Christine Fair, which contains several warnings that despite a "crack down" the omens are not good, e.g. women suicide bombers. Plus a few passages on the Rohingya problem.

Link:http://lawfareblog.com/political-isl...-you-need-know

Given the size of its population there are strategic reasons to watch developments.