Salafi Jihadism in post-2005 Lebanon. (c2015)

Abstract

The purpose of the thesis is to prove that the sectarian division in Lebanon is a factor that facilitates the emergence and survival of Salafi Jihadi groups in the country. It shows how the sectarian division, be it on the political or social level, is leading to a malfunctioning political system on the internal level and eventually a weak position in the region, thus making Lebanon more susceptible to Jihadi Islamist groups. The sect-based consociational system of Lebanon makes some sects feel disadvantaged compared to others, thus pushing those subgroups to seek the help of the more radical ideologies. The shared identities across borders import into Lebanon regional and international disputes including sectarian rivalries, which may encourage Salafi Jihadism in the country. Moreover, both the internal deficiency and the external weakness produce deadlock and weak deterrence, making governmental reactions towards extremist activities either slow or not entirely effective. The link that exists between sectarian division, its outcomes and Salafi Jihadism forms a pattern that can similarly be used to look into the increase in sectarian tension in Lebanon since 2005 and the ascendancy of Salafi Jihadism ever since the civil war in Syria began in 2011. Once the uprisings in Syria turned violent, the sectarian division in Lebanon intensified and the country witnessed a rise of Salafi Jihadism. However, the extent to which Jihadism can grow within Lebanon remains limited due to social and political characteristics that distinguish the system.