The book bears a deep intelligent analysis of the terror organisation ISIS or Daesh, with some serious, interesting observations. It’s an outcome of a good research. The author also examines the advent of ISIS in historical perspective
Showdown at DABIQ: Islamic State Vs The Armies of Rome in the 21st Century; Sardar Sanjay Matkar; Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS);
Pp 202; Rs 250
Dabiq is an ancient city in Syria where the legendary battle of Marj Dabiq took place in which Ottoman Empire categorically defeated Mamluk Sultanate in 1516. According to Islamic belief, Dabiq is one of the two war grounds where the warriors of Islam will conquer infidels (mainly Christians) on the day which marks the doomsday. Again, in July 2014, when ISIS or Daesh started their multilingual online magazine for propaganda and recruitment, they chose the same name : Dabiq. Owing to the same name, the book under review, explains the origin and evolution of the world’s most dreaded terror organisation, Daesh.
Earlier, al-Qaida was considered as synonym of terror, reckoned as the ultimate jihadist group which enjoyed the patronage of several other Islamic terror groups across the world. Amazing though it may seem, the same al-Qaida disowned Daesh for the execessive brutality towards civilians and the commanders of the former.
The vicious acts of violence perpetrating by ISIS are not new, it has always been the par for the course of radical Islam since its origin. Where it differs from its forerunners is in, the modern means of violence, use of advanced weapons and military strategies. They are not a mere collection of psychopaths, but institution builders too, among them, portfolios are divided.
A comprehensive study on Daesh is almost unpragmatic at this earliest juncture, as many more details of the organisation continue to pour in. ISIS is still evolving. More shuddering stories of its brutality are coming out day by day.
| Social Problems in India, Neelkanth Gajanan Pendse and Sukanta Sarkar; Kalpaz Publications; Pp 324; Rs 900 This book is said to be beneficial to all those who are concerned about the problems which are faced by people in society, such as Child Marriage, Migration, Unemployment, Window, Farmer Suicide, AIDS, Urbanisation, Arm Trafficking, Poverty, Violence against Women, Human Trafficking, Drug Abuse, etc. Lucknow: Buildings, Begums and The British, PC Sarkar; Kalpaz Publications; Pp 220; Rs 900 The book is not about history; rather it is a book on heritage— defined as the legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations. The author focuses on some lesser known monuments and aspects of the city, including roles played by some influential women (Begums) of the time and the British. Parliamentary Democracy in North East India, Jayanti Alam; Kalpaz Publications; Pp 281; Rs 990 The book is a study of two communities each from the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim. The author had carried out extensive field study in Arunachal Pradesh and written and published “The Buddhist Women of North-east India and South-west China”. The book is the result of her project as ICSSR Senior Research Fellow. Peace Education, Lokanath Mishra; Kalpaz Publications; Pp313; Rs990 The book contains chapters, as chapter one is highlighting on gender and peace education and other chapters also deal with different aspects of gender and peace education. This book is helpful for the students, teachers, researchers in the field of peace education and gender education also. |
According to the author the roots of the bloody war date back to the time of middle age, the notorious series of battles between the armies of Rome and the descendants of Prophet Mohammad. After a brief course of time, the legendary feud of the Caliphate versus the Christian dominated West, in the name of ‘Wars of infidelity’, wars of apostasy’, is coming out of the veil. It is the last in the row of long-standing clash of civilisation, a famous hypothesis proposed by by Samuel P. Huntington, which is fit for interpreting the present world order.
Further, the author explains the nuances of the inner religious differences and different factions of Islam like Wahhabism, Salafism etc and gives an detailed account of their propounders. The invasion of Daesh was a natural metamorphosis of the vacuum prevailed in the regions, in failed nation-states, where the so-called Arab Spring phenomenon took place. In Syria, both the revolution and the violent repression of Assad regime paved the way to the advent of Daesh as both made people accustomed with weapons and jihadi ideology. Bearing lethal weapons, wielding spiteful ideology and gruesome violence became quite common and natural way of defence among the people. It made them avail of weapons.
The structure, goals, leadership and other many aspects of Daesh has come under the consideration of the writer. The book also gives an account of how Daesh decisively distinguishes and separates the mainstream Islam from their militant version. It also sheds light into the rift between Daesh and al-Qaida.
Financial strength of Daesh, its swift capture of cities, exceptional military, tactical capabilities make it unique and dangerous among other militant organisations.
In Bharat, writing on military, strategic and security affairs is just confined to a few number of war histories and a few other mere attempts. In contrast to the West, we're still in our infancy in handling such genres. Even Pakistan is far more ahead than us in this regard. This book also cannot be considered as a path-breaking in this context. It is a linearly written history of Daesh, which often creates a feeling that the reader is passing through a text book or a long essay. Yet, it is a ray of hope that more attempts are being done towards this. And it can be considered as an authentic primary text in this regard, but it is pertinent to remember that we have miles to go. Ganesh Krishnan R
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