Terrorist Doctors Posted by Shadi Hamid

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to say a few words about Stanley Kurtz’s somewhat involved two-part essay on “terrorist doctors," where he discusses the root causes of extremism, and makes some more general points about economic-political stagnation of the Middle East. It’s actually pretty good, in the sense that it meets the very low bar that conservatives have unwittingly set for themselves: it is moderately thoughtful, and in some sentences, even nuanced. 

You’ve probably forgot about it by now, but last month, there was the big hullabaloo about the fact that the British terrorist plotters were well-educated, doctors. This prompted one of the dumbest news headlines I've ever seen (from NBC): "UK Terror Suspects Include 2 Doctors." The fact that this would surprise anyone provides further evidence that we’re totally lost when it comes to the Muslim world. In the ranks of terrorists, doctors and engineers have always been disproportionately well-represented. This is not unique to the Muslim world; the professional classes have usually been the engines of anti-system political activity for a long time. European communists were not led by peasants, but by middle-class and upper-middle class activists, usually quite well-educated.

Kurtz, like most conservatives, dismisses the theory that poverty causes terrorism. He is right to dismiss it because poverty doesn't actually cause terrorism (again, this is Middle East Politics 101; the fact that people are still advancing this dubious causal link is, quite frankly, bizarre). That said, poverty is one factor which contributes to political violence, and more generally to the popularity of violent, extremist groups. Terrorists draw their support through appeals to a sense of collective humiliation (see Lind/Bergen’s excellent piece on this), and poverty certainly contributes to a sense of economic and political impotence. For this reason – and this is reason enough – international poverty alleviation should be a
priority for American policymakers.

But while poverty may not be a major root cause, that is not the same as saying that economic factors are inconsequential. Doctors and engineers may not be poor, but they are relatively poor. As Kurtz notes, “Egypt’s huge new generation of doctors, lawyers, and engineers may not have been poor, but after years of study and sacrifice they were seriously underemployed. The emergence of Islamism is less a tale of abject poverty than a classic case of social revolution fomented by rising expectations.”

This, again, should not be a surprise for there are parallels to be found in most societies that have had to contend with rapid modernization. In political science, there is the notion of the growing gap between “want formation” and “want satisfaction.” In other words, a new class of should-be upwardly mobile young Arab men – products of universal primary (and even college) education - begin to expect more from life, at least economically- speaking. After all, they are doctors. But the system lacks the absorptive capacity to incorporate them, so the result is a whole class of people for whom the modern, secular nation-state has been a failure. On an individual level, the greater the gap between want formation and want satisfaction, the greater the likelihood that an individual will turn to extremism. The resort to extremism is one way of reducing cognitive dissonance, of closing a gap that is perceived as both unjust and humiliating.

This is a case of “blocked aspirations,” of Arabs not having legitimate economic or political outlets to constructively channel their energies, aspirations, and, yes, their burgeoning anger and frustration. This is where the lack of democracy comes in and makes a difficult situation much worse than it would otherwise be. These men, for a variety of reasons, are angry, yet they have no political outlet with which to express their grievances. Again, a case of “blocked aspirations.” If blocked aspirations are the problem, then it shouldn't be too difficult to think of how you would go about "unblocking" them.

Comments

[Adam Frederic Dorin, M.D., MBA]

It is doubtful that the thoughtful, intellectual rationalizations presented here for the Islamofascist terrorists have any real-world value. Yes, one can imagine many, many root causes for the maladies of man; nevertheless, only the organized, hate-filled motivations of modern-day radical Islam can take credit for the vast majority of recent worldwide terrorism.

I prefer not to attack individuals, because there are millions of decent Jews, Christians, and Muslims--many of whom are deeply religious human beings...and all believing, presumably, in the same God. Civilized society must focus on identifying those weaknesses in our respective national infrastructures which may be vulnerable to terrorist infiltration and attack. In the area of modern health care, I have conducted just this exercise in my upcoming book, "Jihad and American Medicine--Thinking Like a Terrorist to Anticipate Attacks via Our Health System" (Greenwood Publishing Group, November 30, 2007). But preventative measures can only be expected to help so much. In the end, we must always be prepared to fight and defend our democracy and our way of life. Many of the terrorists are well-educated and highly intelligent, but don't confuse their intellectual capability with a sensibility that meshes with Western culture. These people are prepared to die for a way of life that has long since died off in our 'world', and we must have the resolve to recognize the real threat which they pose.

please visit
www.gabrielchristou.blogspot.com

you will see PHOTOS of WHO and WHERE Bin Laden and his NETWORKS ARE….

URGENT…PLEASE HELP…. I CANNOT FROM HERE….. I AM BLOCKED ALL AROUND
FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI.

[buy angels gold]

I am so happy to earn some angels gold. In fact at first sight I have fallen in love with angels online gold. So no matter how much I have spent to buy angels gold, I never regret. My life changes because of cheap angels online gold.

[Rolex Air King replica watches]

we don't think it is reasonable to spend hundreds thousands dollars to buy a decorating watch. you can use those money to invest in other industry which will return you good profit.
here you just need to spend 100-200 dollars to buy a replica rolex watches.
Rolex Air King replica watches are made by the rating 1:1 according to the original watches, and you can't distinguish the original and the fake watches when you look at the surface of the watches.

[cheap silkroad gold]

It is the silkroad gold which make me very happy these days,

[wonderland online Gold]

Once I played wonderland, I did not know how to get strong, someone told me that you must have wonderland Gold. He gave me some wonderland online Gold.

[cheap kamas]

There also have a cheap kamas ,In the game, dofus gold is indispensable.

[mesos]

Do you like playing the game where you need to use maple mesos, when you do not have mesos,

[Fake Kooba bag,Kooba Wallets]

Do you like playing the game where you need to use maple mesos, when you do not have mesos,

[Tiffany Bangle]

Do you like playing the game where you need to use maple mesos, when you do not have mesos,

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[ghd]

GHD IV mini styler has a safety feature that gives you peace of mind, by turning itself off if it is left unattended for 30 minutes. The unique digital technology of GHD hair straightener means that the temperature is automatically controlled even quicker for even better styling.

Creating tight curls, flicks and waves as well as the perfect straight. The ideal styling tool for urban angels with short hair, men's hair and fringes.

price includes: ghd IV salon styler,ghd purple roll bag.

product features:
Auto sleep mode(A built in safety feature that gives you peace of mind by turning off if the ghd IV styler is left unallended for 30 minutes.)
Universal voltage(So that you can use your styler in any country without an adaptor.)
Advanced ceramic heaters(The ultimate heating technology for the ultimate shine and style creation.)
All our products are cheap,if you want to find cheap ghd,come here and that is right.

If you want to find GHD hair products,you can write GHD straightener,GHD hair straighteners,GHD straightners,GHD hair,straighteners GHD in google browse.

[chanel handbags]

Chanel Handbags are woman’s dream come true.

Chanel, a fashion name that has become synonymous with femininity since 100 years, is on the must-have list of every fashion-conscious woman.? And we bring these must-have Chanel Handbags at never before discounts, just for you.

It is only when you come across an Chanel New Arrivals, do you realize the power of her words.? Chanel handbags are crafted not just to be trendy, but trend-setting.? Hardly has lived a celebrity who has not been seen carrying a Chanel handbag under her arm; such has the influence of Chanel handbags as a fashion statement.

Chanel handbags have been so popular in the elite classes of the society, that their pricing is usually prohibitive for everyone else.? Discount Chanel handbags are really difficult to come across, but today should be your lucky day.? We bring you a superb unbeatable range of Chanel Flap bags, all at fantastic discounts.? With us, you have an incredible chance to buy your favorite Chanel handbags at rock bottom prices!

Chanel Handbags have always been at the forefront of luxury and style.? The Chanel classic quilted leather handbags and its reinventions have ruled fashion since forever.? Chanel handbags have remained extremely popular as they continue to merge evolving modern trends with the class and simplicity of its original avatar.

An Chanel 2008 Collection and Chanel 2009 Collection single handedly enhances the look you are carrying.? The reason you would buy a Chanel handbag is own a bag that mingles with your charm and intensifies it with its inherent simplicity.? If you have owned an authentic Chanel handbag before, you know what we are talking about.? If you are one of the unlucky people who haven’t yet gotten a chance to own an Chanel Cambon, now is your chance to shop for an authentic Chanel handbag and discover its ability to transform your look completely.

Buy Chanel handbags with us, and get fabulous discounts which you will never get at your favorite store.? We offer cheap authentic Chanel handbags and they are all up for grabs!

[Louis Vuitton handbags]

Both sides of the symmetrical lines, wantonly flaunt a perfect Louis Vuitton handbagsline, in the right case, the border, from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock position to develop a unique design to show the whole concept of asymmetry, resulting in visual surprise, crown, located in the the right to beautiful, 4 o'clock position of the bright red jujube board. Black dial with white silkLouis Vuitton handbags screen printing, second hand with red paint, resulting in the formation of brand image is more out of color.

[gucci sneakers]

Produced pioneering spirit is very difficult.

[watches]

I suppose it is thethickness of Replica Jacques Lemans that insulates the movement.The luminosity of tReplica Jaeger LeCoultre is great; large hands and markers ensure plenty of room for luminous paint,and I seldom found myself wishing the Holotype glowed more brightly.The 12 clock arrow on the bezel is also painted and glows like a torch,a nice Replica Levis for timing events in less than ideal light.Esthetically,the yellow dial is so much better then I had guesed it would be.I usually stick to black dials on most of my Replica Longines,but I thought I would give the yellow dial a try and I am very glad I did.It is bright and seems to be a semi gloss that reflects just enough light that it stands out from the PVD case;The bracelet Replica Mont Blanc the case in every way.It is thick,solid,quiet,smooth,and didn't pull a single hair from my wrist.All of the links are screwed together so sizing the bracelet is Replica Movado.A quick word of warning: the screws do not seem especially tight from the factory so I recommend sizing he bracelet then tightening each link completely (my failure to do so cost me a tiny screw).You might even consider a little Loctite 242 (Replica Omega).The fold over clasp has a push button release,and has a very secure fliplock.The end links are solid and secured by 24mm screws.The packaging on the Holotype is far more then one would expect.My unit shipped in at tan colored faux leather travel case that houses the watch,warranty card,manual,tools,rubber strap,and polishing cloth.

[Tiffany bracelet]

Great site. This could probably have the refactoring tag added t it.

[Egitim]

thanks for sharing Sohbet many people are pay more attention to one's wearing than before, especially a watch. Chat .
Perhaps when you went to some place far away Chat you must borrow it from friends Sohbet you can get everything you want in this game
Chat money to invest in other industry which will return you good profit. Sohbet when you look at the surface of the watches
Egitim from the city you live in and thought you knew nobody there exsohbet

[cartier jewelry]

Great site. This could probably have the refactoring tag added t it.