Protracted Conflict and Pathways of Radicalization in South Waziristan: The Intersecting Roles of Internal and External Drivers
Keywords:
Conflict-induced Radicalization, Pashtun Borderland Militancy, Public Space Radicalization, South Waziristan, Tablighi JamaatAbstract
This qualitative study investigates the local dynamics underpinning conflict-induced radicalization pathways in South Waziristan, filling a gap in existing literature that overwhelmingly emphasizes external drivers. Drawing on primary data from in-depth semi‑structured interviews and secondary data from scholarly sources, the research identifies five key local factors providing key pathways and thus inducing radicalization: places of worship (mosques), Islamic seminaries (madrassahs), networks of the Society of Preachers known as Tablighi Jamaat (TJ), jihadi literature, and public gathering spaces. These institutions and venues act as vital conduits for the formation, dissemination, and normalization of radical thoughts and discourses within community life. Findings reveal that these local mechanisms interact with conflict-induced grievances to produce and sustain ideological shifts toward radicalization. The study’s implications highlight the need for counter‑radicalization strategies that attend not only to external threats but also to the embedded role of local religious and social infrastructures. Effective prevention programs must target these grassroots environments and engage community stakeholders in reform efforts.
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