This paper is analyzing the terrorist’s attacks of France since the proclamation of the caliphate and the refugee crisis in 2014. Focusing on the perpetuators and their reasons for the attacks in France – mainly on symbols of the French culture, like the national day, freedom of religion, freedom of speech as well as on state officials. The backgrounds of the attackers play an important role as well as the long-lasting and difficult relationship between France and the Muslim world mainly throughout their colonial history, their current interventions in wars as well as their inner state policies.
Table of Contents
Introduction to the topic and the research question
Major attacks
Definition of (Islamic) terrorism
Islamism in France
Main analysis and discussion
1. Proclamation of the "caliphate”
2. Refugee crisis
The perpetrators and the French population analysis
Colonial History and immigration
Purpose of the Islamists attacks in France
1. Frances colonial history
2. French foreign policy: military interventions
Domestic French politics: la laïcité
Right wing and anti-islamic tendencies
French internal security services and the prisons for Islamists
Integration of Muslims
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary research objective of this paper is to investigate whether France serves as a unique target for Islamist terrorist activities and to identify the underlying purposes of these terrorists. The research explores the historical context of French colonial policies, the impact of recent military interventions, and internal state policies to understand the motivations behind attacks within the French territory.
- Historical influence of French colonialism on current social tensions.
- Impact of the proclamation of the "caliphate" and the 2014 refugee crisis.
- Analysis of domestic French policies such as "la laïcité" and their reception.
- Role of internal security challenges and radicalization within the prison system.
- Socio-economic factors contributing to the marginalization of migrant populations.
Excerpt from the Book
Main analysis and discussion
This essay will focus on the time after 2014. There are two reasons for that:
1. Proclamation of the "caliphate”
On the 29th of June 2014 the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called out the caliphate. The so-called Islamic State “claimed that all Muslims were under a religious obligation to join (…), declared that the only excuse for Muslims to not join the group in territories under its control was to perpetrate terrorist attacks in their current place of residence.”22 He reinforced that again in 2017 and in spring 2019, at the beginning of the Ramadan.
Beside others, the founding member of the IS, Abu-Muhammad al-Adnani calls all the believers to fight for the caliphate, talks about the air strikes of the "Crusaders" and urges the followers in the western countries, no longer to travel to the caliphate to fight there, but directly attack their western home countries. („One reason that France is a particular target is down to a specific decision by the Islamic State to target it. In September 2014, shortly after the beginning of airstrikes by a US-led coalition which includes France, the chief spokesman for Isis al Adnani, singled out the “spiteful French” among a list of enemies in a speech calling for the group’s sympathizers to launch attacks across the west.“23)
One reason for following this call to carry out attacks in Europe is based on the Quranic verse "obey God and the Prophet and those of you who have power."24 From this passage, the unconditional submission not only under God's will but also under de facto rulers (such as al Baghdadi and al-Adnani) is derived. One has to obey therefor also the worldly Muslim rulers (emirs, caliphs or sultans), as they are chosen by God. The exercise of power as well as the submission under it are thus religious duties, through which man comes closer to God.25
Summary of Chapters
Introduction to the topic and the research question: Outlines the rise of Islamic terrorism in Europe, specifically noting the frequency of attacks in France and defining the scope of the study.
Major attacks: Provides a chronological overview of significant terrorist incidents in France since 2015, highlighting the specific symbolic nature of the targets chosen.
Definition of (Islamic) terrorism: Explores the conceptual framework of terrorism, focusing on political-religious extremism and the ideology of Islamism as it rejects secularism.
Islamism in France: Contextualizes the threat by examining the long-term relationship between France and the Muslim world, including the impact of colonial history.
Main analysis and discussion: Investigates the catalytic impact of the 2014 proclamation of the caliphate and the European refugee crisis on terrorist activity in France.
The perpetrators and the French population analysis: Discusses the demographic challenges in analyzing the Muslim population in France and the migrant background of attackers.
Colonial History and immigration: Details the historical roots of the Muslim community in France, stemming from French colonial expansion in Africa since 1830.
Purpose of the Islamists attacks in France: Analyzes motives such as revenge for historical colonial policies and contemporary French military involvement in conflicts.
Domestic French politics: la laïcité: Examines how the French principle of secularism is perceived by jihadists and its role in domestic social conflicts.
Right wing and anti-islamic tendencies: Discusses the feedback loop between jihadist violence and the strengthening of right-wing parties in France.
French internal security services and the prisons for Islamists: Evaluates the response of French law enforcement and the specific challenges of deradicalization within prisons.
Integration of Muslims: Addresses the socio-economic reality of marginalized populations in French banlieues and its role as a breeding ground for radicalization.
Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, emphasizing the home-made nature of many of France's challenges and the need for closer cooperation among constitutional states.
Keywords
Islamic Terrorism, France, Islamism, Caliphate, Jihad, Colonial History, Laïcité, Radicalization, Integration, Banlieues, Security Policy, Refugee Crisis, Social Exclusion, Military Interventions, Anti-Terrorism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the rise of terrorist attacks in France post-2014 and investigates why France has become a specific target for Islamist militants.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The themes include the historical impact of colonialism, the role of French military interventions, domestic secular policies like laïcité, and the socio-economic integration of Muslim populations.
What is the central research question?
The research asks whether France is a special target for Islamist terror attacks and seeks to identify the purpose or motivations of the terrorists in committing these acts.
Which methodology is employed?
The author uses historical analysis, review of security reports (e.g., Europol, IHS Jane), and sociological studies to explain the correlation between state policies and the radicalization process.
What topics are analyzed in the main body?
The main body addresses the proclamation of the caliphate, the 2014 refugee crisis, the impact of colonial history, foreign policy decisions, domestic politics, and the effectiveness of deradicalization programs.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is defined by concepts such as Islamism, Jihad, laïcité, radicalization, integration, social exclusion, and counter-terrorism.
How did the colonial past affect the security situation?
The author argues that French colonial rule in Africa and the subsequent migration patterns have created social ghettos in the banlieues, which current extremists exploit for their narratives.
What role do prisons play in this analysis?
Prisons are described as sites where extremist connections are formed, noting that the isolation strategy of radicalized individuals has largely failed and contributed to further radicalization.
How do the jihadists justify their attacks according to the paper?
They often interpret current Western military actions as a continuation of historical "Crusades," framing their violence as a legitimate religious defense against the "flagship of disbelief."
- Arbeit zitieren
- Charlotte Hüser (Autor:in), 2019, Islamic Terrorism in France. An Analysis, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/510257
