Why JIHADS End: Lessons for Today
Abstract
Past Jihads may hold clues for successfully countering Jihadist movements of today. This paper proposes to take a broad look at how Islamic Jihads of the past have ended to determine if there are lessons that may be used to help bring current Jihads to an end. To do this the paper will look at the definitions and characteristics of Jihad and why Jihads are of concern today. The paper starts by looking at Jihads covering the period from the beginning of Islam until the defeat of the Ottomans at Vienna in 1683 when Islam was primarily in an offensive mode, spreading the message of Islam. It then looks at Jihads that have occurred during the period since 1683 when Islam has been in a mainly "defensive mode," losing control of lands they previously held and experiencing colonialism. It covers the reasons that past Jihads have been successful and also the issues, efforts, and movements that sapped the strength of past Jihads. The paper finishes by determining if the reasons for the success or failure of the past Jihads have implications for successfully dealing with the ongoing Jihads of today.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA489253
Entities
People
- Shane R. Smith
Organizations
- Air War College