Islamic State
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San Bernadino Terror Attack
The author recounts the San Bernardino attack by a Pakistani-American couple, setting out what was known of the shooters, their weapons and the reported pledge to ISIS, and considers what…
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Farewell Sykes-Picot. You will be much missed..
The author argues it is overstated that Sykes-Picot created the modern Middle East’s troubles, since Arab states never built convincing narratives for their own existence, and asks which of several…
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Paris, Islam, ISIS and Sykes-Picot. Random Thoughts
After the Paris attacks, the author describes the Mumbai-style operation and ISIS’s recent bombings in Ankara, Beirut and against a Russian aircraft, then offers random thoughts on Islam, the group’s…
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Islam, ISIS and the Dream of the Blue Flower
Responding to Graeme Wood’s Atlantic argument that the Islamic State is Islamic, the author says it does not smear Muslims but notes ISIS acts have support in classical texts, then…
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An Appeal for Alan
Writing on the appeal by British imams for the release of hostage Alan Henning, the author is cynical that it may be public relations and unlikely to move the Caliphate’s…
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David Cawthorne Haines
After the reported beheading of British aid worker David Haines, the author asks what he was doing in Syria and whether ransoms should be paid, and offers a digression on…
