Saman Ayesha Kidwai

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article ‘Global Terrorist Trends 2020 to 2022: An analysis’ has been published in Modern Diplomacy on 03 June 2022.

Terrorist threats have magnified over the past few years, gradually subsuming efforts to prioritise socio-economic development, particularly in fragile states, says Ms Kidwai.

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• Published: 3 June, 2022

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article ‘Video games: The alt-right's radicalisation toolkit in the West’ has been published in Modern Diplomacy on 14 May 2022.

Alt-right’s radicalisation of youth and adults has moved beyond online chat forums and grassroots demonstrations to video games’ virtual reality, particularly in the western world, through avenues such as Roblox, says Ms Kidwai.

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• Published: 14 May, 2022

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article ‘Afghanistan's Forgotten War: The Clash Between the Taliban and ISKP’ has been published in Modern Diplomacy on 13 May 2022.

Amid the Ukrainian war, the Afghan crisis accurately represents a forgotten conflict. Notably, the rivalry between the Taliban and the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), personified by violence and instability, has, much to the detriment of analysts, continued to bleed the country dry, say Ms Kidwai.

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• Published: 13 May, 2022

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article “The UK's ‘Separation Centres’: Re-visiting counter-terror measures” was has been published in ‘Modern Diplomacy’ on 01 May 2022.

Prisons are breeding grounds for radicalisation within their walls and recruitment for terrorism acts carried out post the inmates’ release. The leaders’ personality and ability to cultivate a cult-like following among the potential recruits mould the fruition or failure of these security threats worldwide. While this is not a novel security challenge, as the following portion about the rise of the Islamic State attests, the Boris Johnson-led administration appears to now bolster its efforts to confront the complex reality, says Ms Kidwai.

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• Published: 1 May, 2022

The false compliance present within the radicalised individuals and convicted terrorist offenders pose a considerable threat to the society, following their release from de-radicalisation-based institutions.

• Published: January 28, 2022
• IDSA Comments

The coming of Taliban to power in Afghanistan could upset the geopolitical applecart in Central Asia and adjoining regions. The growing association of radical Uyghur groups like the ETIM, with IS-K and the spread of jihadist operations in Central Asia could have significant implications for regional and international powers, particularly for China and its ambitious plans for Silk Road imperialism.

• Published: November 29, 2021
• IDSA Comments

A conglomerate of elite jihadists called Malhama Tactical, a commercial enterprise driven by a for-profit agenda and not constrained by a specific ideology and defined enemies, has emerged as a serious threat as it can potentially connect and facilitate terrorist organisations worldwide.

• Published: October 14, 2021
• IDSA Comments

The 2015 terrorist attacks in France have seriously tested the nation’s faith in liberal and secular values as well as its tolerance for Political Islam. Taking a hands-on approach to combat terrorism, France has initiated what is being described as the “biggest trial” in its modern history.

• Published: September 22, 2021
• IDSA Comments

Challenges, such as weak infrastructure and ill-equipped armed forces, corruption, pandemic, and drought, have become intrinsic to Somalia, mutually reinforcing each other. Additionally, they have been exploited by terrorists to advance their Islamist cause. While re-evaluating counter-terrorism strategies to defeat al-Shabaab, the allied partners should carefully consider these factors’ role in sustaining the insurgency and address the security crisis – state and human security – accordingly.

• Published: January-December 2021
• Africa Trends