Surviving Capitalism (Not) : The Rise of ISIS and Other Extremist Groups: the role of the West and Regional Powers [late posting]

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Rise of ISIS and Other Extremist Groups: the role of the West and Regional Powers [late posting]

Click here to access article by Bouthaina Shaaban from CounterPunch. [posted at 1:45 Seattle time]

Author's bio:

Bouthaina Shaaban is Political and Media Advisor at the Syrian Presidency, and former Minister of Expatriates. She is also a writer and professor at Damascus University since 1985. She has been the spokesperson for Syria and was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.

Although she is, or has been, connected to the Syrain Assad government, her article has a very credible ring of authenticity to it. It is corresponds well with independent sources that I've posted in the past, it is well documented, and includes a sound bibliography.

She provides an excellent historical summary of the most significant events that have created the present situation in Syria.