Ahmed Rashid: Militancy will not run out of steam; There has to be a regional approach in dealing with militancy

Ahmed Rashid: Militancy will not run out of steam; There has to be a regional approach in dealing with militancy

You say Islamic radicalism flourishes in a vacuum and cite the cases of Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. What kind of vacuum are you talking about and why has it lasted for such a long time?

The vacuum has been created by the lack of effective state controls, the deprivation of the people and the lack of opportunities such as in education and jobs. In Afghanistan we have seen nearly continuous war since 1978 and in Pakistan the tribal areas have been wilfully neglected since 1948. In Central Asia there has been no attempt to carry out political and economic reforms since these states gained independence in 1991.

http://newageislam.com/ahmed-rashid--militancy-will-not-run-out-of-steam;-there-has-to-be-a-regional-approach-in-dealing-with-militancy-/war-on-terror/d/763