Naturally Unnatural Issue #7 6th June 2017

Issue #7, 6th June 2017 The history of Brit- ish involvement in the Middle-East Britain has played a signif- icant role in stirring re- sentment in the Middle- East for over a century. A cause of the extremism we face today. By Matthew Clifton The Manchester attack has stirred re- sentment from those who don’t fully understand the issues of radicalisation. 22 people died after Salman Abedi deto- n ated an explosive device at an Ariande Grande concert at the MEN arena Mon- day night. Country-wide grief has fall- en upon the UK with many understand- ably angry responses, but we mustn’t make rash decisions as a country or a society. explained through one article alone but to summarise, it was our involvement in the middle-east that sowed the seeds of con- flict; some continue to this day. That con- flict has directly led to the rise in Islamic extremism. In 1915, the British govern- ment made a deal with Russia in secret over the Ottoman Empire, this meant that the British would lay claim to central Per- sia, including Mesopotamia, which was known to be oil rich. The agreement sig- nalled an alliance change as Britain prom- ised away territory it was initially defend- ing. lished by the British, with the country gaining independence on October 3 rd , 1932. According to the terms of the Anglo- Iraqi treaty in 1930, Britain retained a mili- tary presence and had agreed to train Iraq’s army. However, these military ba- ses were a breeding ground for resent- ment towards British presence, this was amplified through newer nationalist offic- ers. 1958, saw a vicious revolt with the Hashe- mite Royal family and politicians swept aside, thus creating the Republic of Iraq. This was then ruled by a series of military 1914 saw the Ottoman side with Germany and civilian governments for the next two and declare war against France, Russia decades, until Saddam Hussein became and Britain. Britain decided that the Otto- the Iraqi dictator. His authoritarian tactics man Empire was a threat to the British Em- and ability to hold onto power had sup- pire, eventually taking down the Ottoman pressed regional, sectarian revolts. How- Empire and occupying territories that lat- ever, in 2003, the American led but British er became Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine -supported invasion, which saw Saddam and Trans-Jordan. In 1916, Britain encour- Hussein toppled, led to renewed sectarian aged the Great Arab revolt against the violence and resentment that had been Turks by promising Arab independence, growing for nearly a century, with groups upon victory the allies failed to provide such as al-Quaida and its affiliates (ISIL) full independence placing them under gaining support. British and French control under the Trea- Radicalisation ty of Versailles. Theresa May responded by upping the security level to ‘critical’ meaning that they are expecting an attack ‘imminently’. Other leading causes of the conflicts and Deploying armed police and military to extremism we see today, include the par- every major city, with most deployed in tition of Palestine in 1947. Plus, the Sykes- Manchester. Picot agreement, which was signed in se- British historical in- cret by Britain, Russia and France. This agreement would see most of the Arab volvement regions controlled by the Ottoman Empire During this difficult period for everyone divided up and placed under the control involved, they will all face uncomfortable of the French and British. This agreement questions and truths. The most poignant was signed in secret without the one being, why would a 22-year old com- knowledge of the Arabs, under the as- mit such an atrocity? Plus, why do we re- sumption that they would be better off spond in such a unifying manner with under European control. Western nations but others we ignore? We have seen multiple attacks across Eu- Britain in Iraq rope within the last 3 years or so and eve- Perhaps the most damaging was Britains ry single one is tragic and the violence is role in Iraq, and appetite for oil, trade and horrific but further understanding why transportation overshadowed the concern these attacks occur is required. for the communities within the region. In The complexities of the region cannot be 1921, the Hashemite monarchy was estab- 7 History and our involvement has led to resentment throughout the Middle-East and without a change in policy, we will not have any success in fixing the problems that we have made. Radicalisation hap- pens through disillusionment and the guy who committed the atrocity was radical- ised by using language to empower him and make him feel wanted. They create a kind of support network, where they ‘understand’ individuals to mould them into ‘martyrs’. The effects radicalisation has on families is awful, and Jihadists are lost in more ways than one. There were 23 lives lost on that evening and each one could have been prevented almost a century ago. It is time as a nation we took responsibility for our actions and not blame other cultures, but worked with them to combat the nature of radicalisation.

Naturally Unnatural Issue #7 6th June 2017 | Seite 7