United front against terror

Apparently in an attempt to scare Jordan and perhaps other Arab countries, which are part of the US-led coalition to battle the self-ascribed Islamic State (IS), the latter released a video last Tuesday showing Jordanian pilot, Maaz Al-Kasaasbeh, burned to death.
Stunned by the brutality of the militants, Jordanians called on the regime to avenge the death of the pilot. The following morning, Jordan executed Sajida Al-Rishawi, who was convicted for being involved in the terrorist attacks on three Jordanian hotels in 2005, and Ziad Al-Karbouli, a top lieutenant of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Additionally, Jordan stepped up its air raids against IS.
Indeed, the release of the video has had the opposite effect. First, it raised fresh alarm over IS’ ruthless tactics. But, far from being scared, Jordanians demonstrated a high sense of patriotism. Indeed, IS failed to drive a wedge between the regime and the people or among people themselves over Jordan’s participation in the international coalition against IS. And yet, the public opinion in Jordan shifted dramatically after the killing of the captured pilot.
Prior to the immolation of the Jordanian pilot, Jordanians had been divided with regard to fighting IS. The first group argued that the defeat of IS in Syria and Iraq was in the best interest of Jordan’s national security. Proponents of this opinion made the case that it was a preemptive war and that it would be far less costly to fight them in Iraq and Syria rather then dealing with them on the borders of Jordan. On the other hand, there were groups who argued that it was “not our war.” They argued that Jordan should not be part of a coalition because IS did not threaten Jordan. The running theme in their opposition was that the United States did not want to put boots on the ground and that it was looking to drag Jordan and other Arab states to fight a proxy war for Washington.
Some insisted that Jordan was blackmailed into the war by the US. These groups failed to back their arguments with any hard evidence. Indeed, these groups, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, were exploiting the issue to increase their dwindling popularity.
Now after the release of the video, it is hard to see Jordan pulling out of the coalition. Explicit in statements of officials is that Jordan will fight until final victory over IS. Indeed, the killing of Al-Kasaasbeh in unprecedented cruel way united Jordanians behind the leadership of the king. Hence, the regime can now appeal to Jordanians’ sense of patriotism to step up the air raids against IS.
It is worth pointing out that the ideas of the militants are not new. Put differently, they did not invent them recently. One should look at the conditions under which extremists can make these ideas relevant. Obviously, their ability to recruit militants should be seen against the backdrop of the deteriorating socioeconomic conditions. Thus, it does not take a genius to figure out that addressing the socioeconomic dimension of extremism is a must.
While Jordan is most likely to continue its war on militants, there is a need to think thoroughly about the internal scene and how to deprive militants from sympathy inside Jordan. It is no longer a secret that some disgruntled poor and unemployed youth sympathize with militants. Hence, it is the duty of the government to create the necessary conditions in the countryside for proper and sustainable development. Short of doing that, it will be hard for the government to integrate the poor and unemployed youth into the wider society.
Interestingly, increasing voices in Jordan demand that the government turn inward and focus on education to instill the values of dialogue and tolerance. If we look at the other side of the coin, we will realize that the battle against militants is not only a military one; it is rather one on ideas, minds, and values. Therefore, it will be way less difficult for Jordan to grapple with the militants if we refocus our attention on sound education. On more than one occasion, the king made it perfectly clear that quality education and improved socioeconomic conditions were top national priorities.