Pak-Afghan Youth Forum’s Post

Tabassum Majeed's "Swat Under Taliban: Conflict Dynamics and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding" delves into the unrestrained period of the Taliban's reign in Pakistan's Swat Valley, offering a critical analysis of the rise of militancy and the trajectory of conflict's dynamics and the path toward Peacebuilding. The book is a diligent research of the dark chapter in the history of Swat where from mid-2008 to mid-2009, some worst tragedies happened in the dazzling valley. The book explores the breakdown of governance, the rise of militant groups, and the social climate that provided fertile ground for the Taliban's ideology. The narrative then presumably shifts towards the harsh realities of the Taliban's rule. Majeed likely documents the impact on civilians, including the erosion of civil liberties, the implementation of strict religious codes, the suspension of women's education, and the violence that permeated everyday life. An important aspect of the book is its examination of the eventual decline of the Taliban's control which was made possible with the help of the Pakistan army. The military operations, the role of local resistance movements, and the factors that contributed to the weakening of the Taliban's grip on the valley. Read More at: https://lnkd.in/dWEhKhE9 #Pakistan #Swat #Taliban #Afghanistan #PakArmy #AsianPolitico

My review on Tabassum Majeed's book "Swat Under Taliban: Conflict Dynamics and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding" The book delves into the unrestrained period of the Taliban's reign in Pakistan's Swat Valley, offering a critical analysis of the rise of militancy and the trajectory of conflict's dynamics and the path toward Peacebuilding. The book is a diligent research of the dark chapter in the history of Swat where from mid-2008 to mid-2009, some worst tragedies happened in the dazzling valley. Rad full review at: https://lnkd.in/d3mnTv9c #Swat #Afghanistan #Pakistan #Taliban

Dr. Wolfram Lacher's latest Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) Research Paper, "Where Have All the Jihadists Gone? The Rise and Mysterious Fall of Militant Islamist Movements in Libya," explores why militant Islamist groups in Libya rose rapidly post-2011 but declined just as quickly after 2016. The study attributes this phenomenon to tactical choices, social dynamics, and the transient nature of Islamist rhetoric. For a comprehensive analysis, read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e3K9FFxn #Libya #IslamistMovements Hafed Al-Ghwell Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

Goodbye, Bashar al-Assad. You will not be missed.  On Sunday, the devastating 13-year Syrian Civil War came to an end as rebel forces captured Damascus unopposed. After 53 years of brutal rule under Assad and his father’s dictatorial regime, Assad fled to seek refuge in Russia - a fittingly cowardly end to a life that will be remembered only for its narcissism and cruelty. Now is an opportunity to be proactive in creating a new alliance with the new government to encourage mutual cooperation and peace despite our differences, and positive growth toward economic recovery and prosperity for their people under the condition of respect for human rights. No one knows what is in store for the new regime under rebel leader al-Jolani, but they have already stated that they will not be allies to Russia or Iran as Assad was. That is a very encouraging sign from the geopolitical standpoint. Those two nations’ allies are growing fewer by the moment, which will make it easier for the international community to pressure them to reduce their hostility and seek options for compromise. #Syria #SyrianCivilWar #Assad #Jolani #OpportunitiesForPeace #OpporunitiesForRecovery #EncourageHumanRightsGlobally

LinkedIn isn’t just for personal achievements; it’s also for collective success, and the triumph of freedom over oppression. I can’t stay silent about these moments of glory for Syria—not only because I’m engaged in geopolitics and international relations, but also as a Tunisian who lived as many years under BEN ALI’s dictatorship as I have in the post-Revolution era. 𝐀𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧” 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟐 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. 🥺 😭 Seeing history being made again in Syria, a country so close to my heart, where I have FRIENDS WHO FEEL LIKE FAMILY, reminds me deeply of the emotions I felt during Tunisia’s revolution. But this is not the end. External forces still threaten Syria, and many will try to take the country away from its people. The real challenge lies in how the diverse opposition groups will unite and handle the political transition ahead. One thing I am sure of: anything is better than dictatorship and occupation, whether internal or external. 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 eventually. and NONE of it would have been possible under dictatorship. Syrians stood up in 2011, they stood up again after that, and now they’re doing it once more. Today on the 8th of December, 𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐃 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, and ended more than 50 years of the dictatorship of the ASAD family regime. God bless the Syrian people. 🕊️ 🕊️ Video source: Middle East Eye. #humanity #democracy #humanrights

Haleb Syria Rebels inside the Al-Assad's Ba'ath Palace in Aleppo, Syria. Built during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, the father of current Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, it served as a symbol of governmental authority and power. Shows you how fragile are many countries in the middle-east. The instability of Arab countries around Israel stems from ethnic and religious differences, historical divisions, economic challenges, and governance issues, creating fertile ground for extremism to rise in times of instability. Movements like ISIS exploit power vacuums caused by war or state collapse but often face suppression through local and international efforts. Nations like Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq highlight how sectarian divides and external interventions fuel cycles of extremism. Israel remains the only democratic country beacon of the middle-east #standwithIsrael #leadership #governance #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #Resilience

Syria is free from 54 years of Assad’s tyranny. If you are a non-Syrian ally: 💚 Give people space to rejoice, mourn, and digest. Don’t flash other examples to warn or caution against this newly found hope. Syrians know those examples too well and deserve a moment to be in the present. 💚 Do not expect normalcy, history is being made swiftly with direct implications for Syrians across the world. 💚 Ask how you can show up for the coming phase. 💚 Do not reach out to your Syrian friends and colleagues for analysis, not yet. 💚 If you work in a policy making institution, read up on what not to do after the collapse of dictatorships. Draw lessons learned and be prepared for informed engagement with Syria’s free civic future. Long live free Syria. Artwork by Dina Saadi.

After more than a decade of brutal war, the regime of Bashar al-Assad has fallen, marking a pivotal moment in modern Middle Eastern history. I doubt any tears will be shed for the demise of a leader and his regime whose legacy is defined by oppression, war crimes, and the devastation of a once-thriving nation. Yet, even as the long-shadowed reign of Assad comes to an end, Syria stands at the threshold of an historic opportunity. I first studied international relations at University when the Arab Spring commenced in 2010. And, for too long, Syria has been synonymous with despair. Today, the fall of Assad marks a moment of hope and renewal. While the scars of war on the country will take years to heal, Syrians will hopefully now have the chance to envision a better future. I for one, can only hope for a Syria that is democratic, prosperous, and at peace with itself and its neighbours. This opportunity must not be squandered. The international community, regional actors, and most importantly, the Syrian people themselves have a shared responsibility to ensure that the sacrifices of the past lead to a brighter tomorrow. By embracing reconciliation, justice, and inclusive values, Syria can emerge as a beacon of resilience and transformation in a troubled world. The future of Syria is in the hands of Syrians. Let this be a turning point where despair gives way to determination and where the long nightmare of war is replaced by the promise of peace.