The West and Security Governance

Nourhan Elsheikh

?

The West and Security Governance

Nourhan Elsheikh

Prof. of International Relations, Cairo University; Research Consultant of Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization

Over the last few years, since the attack on "Charlie Hebdo" magazine in January 2015, Europe has been beset by a series of terrorist attacks that shook not only the Europeans but the whole world. The successive horrible incidents are very close to 9/11 attacks in terms of its devastating impact on the West. Despite the ugliness of the offenses, it may be an occasion for the West to reassess its policies towards extremist groups in general, including those in Syria and elsewhere.

The West along the past six decades has allied itself with radical Islamic groups. American President Eisenhower received a delegation from Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in 1950s. During the 1960s, Washington and a number of European capitals, especially London, opened their doors and embraced MB members fleeing from Egypt and other countries after committing terrorist and violent attacks.

The alliance between the West and extremist groups has strengthened after the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, where MB cooperated with US intelligence and pushed thousands of followers to fight the Soviets. Washington was not only allied itself with existing terrorist organizations but it also created new ones to serve Western and American interests. As Britain supported the rise of Muslim Brotherhood in the 1920s to break up the unity of Egyptian society and to undermine the Egyptian liberation movement, the CIA through its operation, the "cyclone", created al-Qaeda to challenge the Soviets. Washington and its ally Pakistan have also been behind the formation of Taliban to ensure pro-government authority in Kabul.

Despite the end of the cold war early 1990s, and 9/11 attacks that shook the Americans and Europeans as well, western policies have continued towards Islamic movements. United States and European Union have refused to consider Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Moreover, they have allowed it to penetrate their societies and formed pressure groups on decision- makers in Washington and Brussels. Some MB followers have become influential advisers to President Obama and EU bodies. United States brought them to power in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in central Europe, then in Turkey, and supported their access to power in the Arab countries after 2011.

On the other hand, the West has exploited the instability that is sweeping the Arab countries, especially Syria, and tried to get rid of the European extremists, whose number has increased significantly in Europe and become a worrying phenomenon by encouraging them to "jihad" in Syria. "Free Europe Radio" along the European Union urged young people to "jihad" in Syria and the Middle East. It was a plan to clean up Europe from extremists and move them voluntarily to our region where they would settle forever. The West with the help of some regional partners paved the way to the "Islamic State in Iraq and Syria" (ISIS). Thousands of European extremists were poured into Syrian territory and joined ISIS under the pretext of ousting Bashar Assad.

Over the last three years since Russia launched its successful counter-terrorism operation in Syria, terrorism retreated dramatically. But remnants of terrorism is still there, alive and quite strong in Idlib. Eliminating terrorists from Idlib is urgent and inevitable. Idlib is the last stronghold for terrorists in Syria. All terrorists from across Syria along with Al-Nusra Front and ISIS are in Idlib. Al-Nusra has targeted Russians in Hmeymim and Tartus with its drones from Idlib. Idlib is also the last chapter of military operations, after which the political process would have a big push forward. Settlement in Syria will remain subject to the end of terrorism in Idlib and the new realities on the ground at this moment.

The increasing recovering of Syrian state and restoring its strength with the help of Russia, was a pivotal turning point in the entire region leading to the return back of many well trained Europeans terrorists to Europe and the failure of Western plans. Extremists from European countries such as Germany, France, Belgium, Britain, and Netherlands have received training in so- called "terror camps" run by al Qaeda militants in northern Syria near the Turkish border. As European citizens they are also fully aware of the targets that could be attacked, where and how. The terrorist attacks swept through Europe are clear reflection of this, and they are still spread throughout European societies.

The European dream of getting rid of Islamic extremists turned into a nightmare. European countries cannot prevent them from returning home because they are European citizens and this is the European dilemma. The British Home Secretary has considered the issue of returnees from Syria the main terrorist threat facing Britain since 9/11 attacks. She noted that London thwarted dozens of terrorist attacks, including attempts on the streets, planes, blow up London stock market, and others.

In spite of strict security measures taken by European capitals to counter the threat of terrorism, they are still under the threat of terrorism that threatens their security, stability and the lives of their citizens.

The arrow launched by the West in the direction of our Arab world has reverberated to the heart of Europe. The question remains about when the West realized the fact that snakes bite its breeders before their enemies. Security is indivisible, and Europe cannot be safe unless its Middle East neighbors are also enjoying peace and stability.

I hope that European and American peoples do what needed to correct their governments' policies, which take us all through ambiguous path filled with thorns and blood, and to push forward the world cooperation against terrorism as a precondition for world peace and security.