S2 Ep1152: Terrorism, ISIS, and Understanding the Israel-Hamas War: Dr. Austin Knuppe
Feb 12, 2024
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Dr. Austin Knuppe, political science professor, discusses terrorism, ISIS, US intervention in the Middle East, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. They explore the formation of ISIS, US interventions in the Middle East, the complex history of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the role of Benjamin Netanyahu in the creation of Hamas, the Great March of Return, and the challenges of forming opinions in complex situations.
The Israel-Palestine conflict is primarily rooted in political and territorial disputes rather than being primarily a religious conflict.
The blockade on Gaza has resulted in high poverty rates, unemployment, and food insecurity among Palestinians, severely impacting their daily lives.
Understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict requires engaging with multiple narratives and acknowledging the complexities of the issue.
Hamas is a Palestinian resistance movement that operates in both violent and non-violent ways, with differing political opinions and strategies for achieving Palestinian self-determination.
Deep dives
The Historical Context of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict dates back to the 20th century, with the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. It has its roots in political and territorial disputes rather than being primarily a religious conflict. The conflict revolves around land, borders, water rights, and the pursuit of security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Blockade on Gaza and its Impact
The blockade on Gaza, which began in 2005, has had severe humanitarian consequences. The blockade has resulted in high poverty rates, unemployment, and food insecurity among Palestinians in Gaza. It restricts movement in and out of the strip and imposes control over essential resources. The blockade has been a contentious issue, resulting in limited access to basic goods and services and inhibiting economic development.
Hamas: A Complex Resistance Movement
Hamas is a Palestinian resistance movement and political party that emerged in 1987 from the wider Palestinian resistance under Yasser Arafat's leadership. It is the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a political movement seeking the integration of Islam in secular politics. While Hamas is often labeled as a terrorist organization by some, it is important to note that its classification is complex and disputed. Hamas is involved in both violent and non-violent resistance against Israeli occupation, with different factions within the group holding various political opinions and strategies for achieving Palestinian self-determination.
Political Dynamics and Diverse Narratives
Understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict requires engaging with multiple narratives and political dynamics. The conflict is not an ancient or religious one, but rather a relatively recent one with contemporary roots. Political interests, such as the desire for a two-state solution or annexation, have shaped the actions and policies of both Israeli and Palestinian actors. Situating the conflict within a wider regional context and acknowledging the complexities of the issue is crucial to gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the ongoing conflict.
Understanding Hamas: The Political and Armed Wing
Hamas is a political and armed movement with a specific theological interpretation of Islam. It opposes Zionism and seeks the liberation of Palestine from Israeli occupation. While their early charter had anti-Semitic elements, in recent years they have claimed to be opposed to Zionism, not Jews or Judaism. The debate arises on whether one can be anti-Zionist without being anti-Semitic. Critiquing Israeli politics or the Zionist project does not necessarily make one anti-Semitic, as many Jews themselves are critical of Zionism.
Why Palestinians Vote for Hamas
Many Palestinians vote for Hamas as a resistance organization due to the corruption and ineffectiveness of other options. Living under occupation, their priority is to end the occupation and support groups that provide safety, basic services, and secure them against the foreign occupation. The appeal of Hamas lies in its ability to provide for the basic needs of Palestinians and its resistance against Israel. Nonviolent resistance, boycotts, and other peaceful strategies have been tried without success, leading some to believe that violent resistance is the only way to bring attention to their cause.
The Complexity and Uncertainty of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex and fraught with uncertainty. The fog of war, the nuances of motivations and actions, and the ever-changing political landscape make it difficult to reach definitive conclusions. Investigating and understanding the context, motivations, and consequences of events like the October 7th attacks requires time, analysis, and evidence. Accurate and balanced information is crucial, as propaganda and biased narratives often contribute to binary thinking and polarized perspectives. Grief, lament, and prayer can serve as starting points for Christians to engage with this complex issue and seek wisdom and discernment in responding to it.
Dr. Austin Knuppe has a Ph.D. in political science from The Ohio State University and currently serves asan assistant professor of political science at Utah State University. Prior to Utah State, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College. His research interests include civilian survival during wartime, Middle East politics, and the role of religion in international politics. His first book, Surviving the Islamic State: Contention, Cooperation, and Neutrality in Wartime Iraq explores how ordinary Iraqis survived Islamic State control of their communities between 2014 and 2018.
In this conversation, we begin talking about understanding terrorism and politics in the Middle-East, the rise of ISIS in particular, U.S. intervention in Middle-Eastern affairs, and then we spend the bulk of our time understanding the history and current events surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, including the current war between Israel and Hamas.
Here are some links to sources mentioned during our conversation:
