The Sunni Tragedy in the Middle East: Northern Lebanon from al-Qaeda to ISIS: 60 (Princeton Studies in Muslim Politics)

Northern Lebanon is a land in turmoil. Long under the sway of the Assad regime in Syria, it is now a magnet for Sunni Muslim jihadists inspired by anti-Western and anti-Shi'a worldviews. The Sunni Tragedy in the Middle East describes in harrowing detail the struggle led by an active minority of jihadist militants, some claiming allegiance to ISIS, to seize control of Islam and impose its rule over the region's Sunni Arab population. Bernard Rougier introduces us to men with links to the mujahidin in Afghanistan, the Sunni resistance in Iraq, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. He describes how they aspire to replace North Lebanon's Sunni elites, who have been attacked and discredited by neighboring powers and jihadists alike, and explains how they have successfully positioned themselves as the local Sunni population's most credible defender against powerful external enemies--such as Iran and the Shi'a militia group Hezbollah. He sheds new light on the methods and actions of the jihadists, their internal debates, and their evolving political agenda over the past decade. This riveting book is based on more than a decade of research, more than one hundred in-depth interviews with players at all levels, and Rougier's extraordinary access to original source material. Written by one of the world's leading experts on jihadism, The Sunni Tragedy in the Middle East provides timely insight into the social, political, and religious life of this dangerous and strategically critical region of the Middle East. Northern Lebanon Is A Land In Turmoil. Long Under The Sway Of The Assad Regime In Syria, It Is Now A Magnet For Sunni Muslim Jihadists Inspired By Anti-western And Anti-shi'a Worldview. 'the Sunni Tragedy In The Middle East Describes In Harrowing Detail The Struggle Led By An Active Minority Of Jihadist Militants, Some Claiming Allegiance To Isis, To Seize Control Of Islam And Impose Its Rule Over The Region's Sunni Arab Population. Bernard Rougier Introduces Us To Men With Links To The Mujahidin In Afghanistan, The Sunni Resistance In Iraq, Al-qaeda, And Isis. He Describes How They Aspire To Replace North Lebanon's Sunni Elites, Who Have Been Attacked And Discredited By Neighboring Powers And Jihadists Alike, And Explains How They Have Successfully Positioned Themselves As The Local Sunni Population's Most Credible Defender Against Powerful External Enemies -- Such As Iran And The Shi'a Militia Group Hezbollah. He Sheds New Light On The Methods And Actions Of The Jihadists, Their Internal Debates, And Their Evolving Political Agenda Over The Past Decade. This Riveting Book Is Based On More Than A Decade Of Research, More Than One Hundred In-depth Interviews With Players At All Levels, And Rougier's Extraordinary Access To Original Source Materials. Written By One Of The World's Leading Experts On Jihadism, 'the Sunni Tragedy In The Middle East Provides Timely Insight Into The Social, Political, And Religious Life Of This Dangerous And Strategically Critical Region Of The Middle East--dust Jacket. Preface -- 1. North Lebanon In Bilad Al-sham -- 2. Defending An Imagined Umma: The Path To Terrorism -- 3. The Anti-syrian Movement: Rebuilding A Political Scene -- 4. The Syrian Response -- 5. Jihad And Resistance In North Lebanon: The History Of Fatah Al-islam -- 6. The Failure To Create A Lasting Support Base For The Syrian Insurrection -- Epilogue -- Conclusion -- Maps -- Glossary -- Index. Bernard Rougier. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Translated From French. An unprecedented look at social breakdown and Sunni-led jihad in northern LebanonNorthern Lebanon is a land in turmoil. Long under the sway of the Assad regime in Syria, it is now a magnet for Sunni Muslim jihadists inspired by anti-Western and anti-Shi‘a worldviews. The Sunni Tragedy in the Middle East describes in harrowing detail the struggle led by an active minority of jihadist militants, some claiming allegiance to ISIS, to seize control of Islam and impose its rule over the region's Sunni Arab population.Bernard Rougier introduces us to men with links to the mujahidin in Afghanistan, the Sunni resistance in Iraq, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. He describes how they aspire to replace North Lebanon's Sunni elites, who have been attacked and discredited by neighboring powers and jihadists alike, and explains how they have successfully positioned themselves as the local Sunni population's most credible defender against powerful external enemies—such as Iran and the Shi‘a militia group Hezbollah. He sheds new light on the methods and actions of the jihadists, their internal debates, and their evolving political agenda over the past decade.This riveting book is based on more than a decade of research, more than one hundred in-depth interviews with players at all levels, and Rougier's extraordinary access to original source material. Written by one of the world's leading experts on jihadism, The Sunni Tragedy in the Middle East provides timely insight into the social, political, and religious life of this dangerous and strategically critical region of the Middle East. Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Introduction 8 CHAPTER 1 North Lebanon in Bilad al-Sham 26 CHAPTER 2 Defending an Imagined Umma: The Path to Terrorism 51 CHAPTER 3 The Anti-Syrian Movement: Rebuilding a Political Scene 83 CHAPTER 4 The Syrian Regime Reacts: Building Up a Jihadi Network 107 CHAPTER 5 Jihad and Resistance in North Lebanon: The History of Fatah al-Islam 149 CHAPTER 6 The Failure to Create a Lasting Support Base for the Syrian Insurrection 196 Epilogue 246 Conclusion 258 Maps 264 Glossary 270 Index 278