There are a large number of studies and research centers on strategy in the Arab world. There are no large areas of disagreement about the importance of the role of these centers, especially in light of the complexity and exacerbation of problems in many countries in the region, and the emergence of societal,
political and intellectual phenomena that need in-depth scientific study, solutions and alternatives. But this importance does not hide the short performance of these centers in the Arab World and the fact that they do not compete with their western counterparts in the view of the specialists. There is no real active role for many Arab Research Studies centers in addressing the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism. This topic was over-studied in papers, conferences, seminars and lectures organized by these centers. These efforts drain huge budgets and human resources in lack of coordination. The culture of organizing events and research activities in many Arab research institutions seem subject to media hype and exaggerated attention but no real results or outcomes. Some researchers assist to several conferences using the same working paper, especially events that do publish regulated papers or do not have the budgets for that. Some participate in conferences hastily and without preparing researches, or organize the same type of conferences hastily. These practices contribute to the declining role of the research work in the treatment of phenomena and dilemmas experienced by the Arab countries.
We lack scientific studies on the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism in the Arab world that could support other efforts on the security, political, military, intellectual and religious levels. A lot of prestigious studies on this subject were prepared in Western research institutions, making commendable efforts to examine the roots of this phenomenon and its extensions and its impacts and to develop perceptions and plans to deal with it.
Among the most prominent studies recently published in this area is a report by the Center for Extremism Studies at the University of London’s King’s College, about dissidents from Daesh who took part of a research on the reasons they joined then left the organization. This kind of scientific study contributes to fathom the complex social phenomena, and illuminate the paths for researchers to develop realistic strategies for dealing with them.
The report included testimonies of about 588 of these dissidents, revealing different reasons to join the organization, including the quality of life that attracted them and was promised to them through the high-tech advertising methods pursued by the organization. A respondent said that many joined Daesh out of enthusiasm from what they have seen on the internet but soon they discovered it is more than military parades and ongoing victories.
Such scientific studies contribute to building proactive steps and walls to repel the efforts of Daesh in terms of recruitment and mobilization and reveal the shortcomings of the organization and how it tempts some young people through sophisticated propaganda. The testimonies of dissidents are more convincing than theoretical frames and certainly represent a weapon in terms of information to face the publicity machine of Daesh. They destroy the image that the organization has been building for several months and attracted some young people who suffer frustrations and demoralization in their country due to poverty, misery and deprivation or political and social marginalization and poor integration in some developed countries.
In summary, this model of studies and scientific efforts comes through a new generation of research institutions capable of following present-day developments.
