ISIS, Syrian Refuge Crisis, and Kashmir: Dr. Ahmed on Voice of America | Department of Geography and the Environment

ISIS, Syrian Refuge Crisis, and Kashmir: Dr. Ahmed on Voice of America

Dr. Waquar Ahmed recently spoke on the Voice of America, the official external broadcast institution of the United States Federal Government, to provide expert opinion on global geopolitical issues. He was interviewed on August 22, 2015, and again on September 26, 2015.

The August 22 interview in Urdu (official language of India and national language of Pakistan) focused on India-Pakistan relations and Kashmir. Ahmed argued that the chances of cordial talks and peace between India and Pakistan seem slim. India focuses on terrorism and aims to keep the Kashmir issue out of any discussions. Pakistan is willing to talk to India about terrorism, but faces civil-society and democratic pressures to include the Kashmir issue during dialogue with India. Inclusion or exclusion of Kashmir during (probable) India-Pakistan dialogues, thus, has led to stalemate. India has hardened its position, for example by denying Kashmiri leaders the opportunity to meet Pakistani diplomats visiting India. This was previously allowed in the past by all Indian governments, irrespective of the political party in power. Unfortunately, audio-visual news media in both Pakistan and India have encouraged xenophobia rather than diplomacy. This has further vitiated the geopolitical environment in the subcontinent.

Another point that Dr. Ahmed noted is that democratically elected religious extremists currently govern both countries. Generating animosity and issuing threats facilitates the rallying up of the support-base of both governments in power (in India and Pakistan). In such a climate, peace is not possible, unless a third party is involved to facilitate and arbitrate. And this third party need not necessarily be the U.S., it could be Russia, UK, Sri Lanka or any country that is mutually agreed upon by India and Pakistan. Alternatively, civil societies in India and Pakistan could exercise pressure on their respective governments to promote peace, but that currently, seems difficult given that xenophobia and extreme nationalism has gained currency and medias in these countries have promoted and capitalized on such negativity. The entire news show can be watched on:

http://www.urduvoa.com/media/video/radio-on-tv/2928352.html?z=4412&zp=1

The September 26 interview focused on the Kashmir conflict in the context of the ongoing UN general assembly, US-Iran talks to address violence in Syria and the refuge crisis, and the influence of ISIS in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. On the Kashmir issue, Ahmed argued that nothing substantial will emerge out of the ongoing UN general assembly debates and discussions, and both India and Pakistan are merely using the UN platform to speak to and energize their respective domestic political base or carder. Ahmed welcomed the US secretary of state, John Kerry's effort to involve Iran in US's effort to counter unrest and refuge crisis in Syria. He argued that a broader coalition involving not only Saudi Arabia, but also Iran could facilitate peace in that region.

On ISIS, Ahmed argued that regions that have historically, since the time of Cold War, been influenced by the Wahabi/Salafi brand of political Islam, are more susceptible to the ISIS/Daish influences. Since Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan saw a huge influx of Saudi money into Wahabi endeavors during the Cold War, they remain susceptible to the Al Qaeda, Taliban, and now ISIS/daish, posing a real threat. Despite some differences between these three groups, the kinds of followers they attract are somewhat similar. On the other hand, India's Islam is influenced more by Sufi ideas; hence Ahmed cannot see ISIS attracting any real support in that country. But Muslims in India have been particularly threatened by the rise of Hindu supremacists who now run the Indian Federal Government. The current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi (the political leader of the Hindu supremacist group), symbolizes and represents the relegation of Muslims in India as marginalized second-class citizens - a sense of hopelessness amongst Muslims in India could push some of them in the direction of extremism, yet Ahmed doesn't envisage ISIS gaining much support. The interview can be seen at:

http://www.urduvoa.com/media/video/radio-on-tv/2980369.html?z=4412&zp=1

Photo: 
Type: 
Faculty Spotlight