ROAD TO DAMASCUS WAS ALWAYS PAVED WITH BITTER IRONY
The New Indian Express Kochi|December 09, 2024
The coming years will reveal whether the Syrian people can resist the forces of disintegration and reclaim the nation. Can they unify despite the pulls of Big Power politics?
WAIEL AWWAD
ROAD TO DAMASCUS WAS ALWAYS PAVED WITH BITTER IRONY

powers, where the interests of smaller nations find no room in the grand chessboard of geopolitics. Terrorism—once condemned universally—seems to have found a revival as a covert instrument to serve political ends.

This is not coincidental. It stems from a calculated effort to destabilize regions, weaken adversaries, and maintain influence in contested areas. The cost is borne by the innocent, with nations caught in the crossfire struggling to secure their sovereignty in an increasingly volatile world.

As this trend gains momentum, it raises critical questions about accountability, morality, and the long-term consequences of weaponizing terror. Who truly benefits from this game of destruction?

The rise of jihadist culture in Afghanistan was no accident; it was a deliberate construct born out of geopolitical maneuvering during the Cold War. In the late 1970s and 1980s, this ideology was fostered to resist the Soviet invasion.

The nurturing of jihadist factions created a fertile ground for the spread of fundamentalism. This move, aimed at toppling the USSR, had unintended long-term consequences. The extremist groups that emerged did not dissolve with the Soviet withdrawal.

The ideological and logistical support provided during that era laid the foundation for movements that would later fuel global terrorism.

The dismantling of Al Qaeda's core leadership led to the death of many of its operatives, while others managed to escape and establish new extremist networks in their homelands. The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 provided fertile ground for them to regroup and rally supporters under the guise of resisting occupation.

Syria played a critical role as a training hub for fighters destined to battle US forces in Iraq. The porous borders allowed the free flow of Salafists, Takfiris, and other extremist elements who used the region to prepare for their operations.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 09, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express Kochi.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 09, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express Kochi.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS KOCHIAlle anzeigen
Paul Mescal to play Paul McCartney in The Beatles biopic
The New Indian Express Kochi

Paul Mescal to play Paul McCartney in The Beatles biopic

PAUL MESCAL is reportedly set to portray Paul McCartney in an upcoming four-part biopic centered on The Beatles.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
Paul Mescal to play Paul McCartney in The Beatles biopic
The New Indian Express Kochi

Paul Mescal to play Paul McCartney in The Beatles biopic

PAUL MESCAL is reportedly set to portray Paul McCartney in an upcoming four-part biopic centered on The Beatles.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
IMDb announces list of popular Indian titles of 2024
The New Indian Express Kochi

IMDb announces list of popular Indian titles of 2024

INTERNET MOVIE Database (IMDb) has unveiled its list of Top 10 Most Popular Indian Movies and Series of 2024.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
The New Indian Express Kochi

Shane's 25th film begins in Coimbatore

THE POOJA and switch-on ceremony for Shane Nigam's 25th film was recently held in Coimbatore, with the cast and crew in attendance.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
A$AP Rocky to play the lead in Highest 2 Lowest
The New Indian Express Kochi

A$AP Rocky to play the lead in Highest 2 Lowest

AS PER latest reports, American rap artist A$AP Rocky has been cast as the lead actor in Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest, an Apple Original film.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
Fourth installment of Meet the Parents in the works
The New Indian Express Kochi

Fourth installment of Meet the Parents in the works

ROBERT DE NIRO, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo and Blythe Danner are in negotiations to reprise their roles in the new Meet The Parents film, which is in the works at Universal Pictures.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
The New Indian Express Kochi

MEET THE 'GERMAN NAMBIAR'

TNIE speaks to Hartmut Schmidt, a German national who is on a mission to popularise Ottanthullal in Europe. Recently, he performed at the Tripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple as part of its Vrischikolsavam festival

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
The New Indian Express Kochi

A reckoning spurred by Hema Committee report

The actual lead of the article is not visible in this image.

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
Engineering a thullal trend
The New Indian Express Kochi

Engineering a thullal trend

TNIE talks to Kalamandalam Vishnu M Gupta about his mission to bring all of Kunchan Nambiar's works to life on stage

time-read
1 min  |
December 12, 2024
THE SHOVELS ARE OUT
The New Indian Express Kochi

THE SHOVELS ARE OUT

Frustrated with delays in laying an approach road to a bridge linking them to the city, residents of Pizhala have given an 'ultimatum' to the authorities that they would take up the project themselves. Three more days for the deadline

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 12, 2024