Jihadists of North Africa and the Sahel

Jihadist movements have claimed that they are merely vehicles for the application of God's word, distancing themselves from politics, which they call dirty and manmade. Yet on closer examination, jihadist movements are immersed in politics, negotiating political relationships not just with the forces surrounding them, but also within their own ranks. Drawing on case studies from North Africa and the Sahel - including Algeria, Libya, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania - this study examines jihadist movements from the inside, uncovering their activities and internal struggles over the past three decades. Highlighting the calculations that jihadist field commanders and clerics make, Alexander Thurston shows how leaders improvise, both politically and religiously, as they adjust to fast-moving conflicts. Featuring critical analysis of Arabic-language jihadist statements, this book offers unique insights into the inner workings of jihadist organisations and sheds new light on the phenomenon of mass-based jihadist movements and proto-states.

Product details

• Authors: Thurston Alexander Thurston, Alexander Thurston, Alexander (University of Cincinnati) Thurston, Thurston Alexander
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.09.2020
• EAN: 9781108726863
• ISBN: 978-1-108-72686-3
• Dimensions: 150 mm x 230 mm x 20 mm
• Series: Print on Demand
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Other religions; Non-fiction book; Islam, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / General, Terrorism, armed struggle, Revolutionary groups & movements, Pressure groups, protest movements and non-violent action, Religious and theocratic ideologies, Political subversion, North Africa, Religious intolerance, persecution and conflict, Religious intolerance, persecution & conflict, Demonstrations & protest movements, Revolutionary groups and movements, Religious & theocratic ideologies, Sub-Saharan Africa, The Sahel