Londonstani reports collection

[davidbfpo]

A snappy title for his latest thoughts: 'Al Qaeda’s New Front: Jihadi Rap The suspected killer of James Foley represents a new, dangerous merger of gangsta hip-hop and Islamism'.


Within is this passage:

It is clear to me that one of the main reasons that al Qaeda’s ideology is so powerful is that there is little else to counteract it. The majority of the Syrian opposition, activists and sympathisers as well as fighters, are still moderates seeking a state that respects the rule of law, protects the rights of its people and does not differentiate on the basis of ethnicity or beliefs. But these principles have not yet been developed into an ideology that can inspire, motivate and mobilise.

Link:http://www.politico.com/magazine/sto...l#.VARK1qORcdV

[Bill Moore]

It is clear to me that one of the main reasons that al Qaeda’s ideology is so powerful is that there is little else to counteract it. The majority of the Syrian opposition, activists and sympathisers as well as fighters, are still moderates seeking a state that respects the rule of law, protects the rights of its people and does not differentiate on the basis of ethnicity or beliefs. But these principles have not yet been developed into an ideology that can inspire, motivate and mobilise

.

I am highly suspect of statements like this. How could the author possibly know this? Sharia is rule of law, but it doesn't provide equal treatment under the law to non-believers. If moderates are the majority in the opposition where are their successes? Where are their voices (predominately it appears those voices are Western editors who desire to see the moderates as the majority thus reflecting the old truth that perception is reality, but reality to them may not be reality on the ground)? There are tens of narratives out there seeking to be dominate the debate in describing the resistance in Syria, and facts seem to have little to do with it.

As to the author's point about the moderate principles not be developed into an ideology that can inspire, motivate, and mobilize they can turn to the great American propagandists during the American Revolution for inspiration, but even then at least half of the population remained loyal to the England. That isn't a popular narrative in the U.S., so it is seldom heard, but then again narratives don't have to reflect the truth, they only have to reflect the world the way we desire to see it.

[davidbfpo]

.

I am highly suspect of statements like this. How could the author possibly know this? Sharia is rule of law, but it doesn't provide equal treatment under the law to non-believers. If moderates are the majority in the opposition where are their successes? Where are their voices (predominately it appears those voices are Western editors who desire to see the moderates as the majority thus reflecting the old truth that perception is reality, but reality to them may not be reality on the ground)? There are tens of narratives out there seeking to be dominate the debate in describing the resistance in Syria, and facts seem to have little to do with it.

As to the author's point about the moderate principles not be developed into an ideology that can inspire, motivate, and mobilize they can turn to the great American propagandists during the American Revolution for inspiration, but even then at least half of the population remained loyal to the England. That isn't a popular narrative in the U.S., so it is seldom heard, but then again narratives don't have to reflect the truth, they only have to reflect the world the way we desire to see it.

Bill,

I have know the author for maybe eight years now. In that time he has been involved in counter-radicalisation messaging in Pakistan and most recently Syria - from a perch in Turkey. His close association with the FSA is in the public domain.