Tayseer MohamedaliTore Hamming 2022
Book review by Tayseer Mohamedali
Why do Jihadists, despite sharing a mutual end goal, engage in internal conflicts?
And how do these disputes shape the broader Sunni Jihadi movement worldwide?
The traditional narrative of studying jihadi politics has often focused on understanding how these groups operate and analyzing them from a Western-centric perspective. Even within conflict studies, the emphasis has primarily been on highlighting the clashes between jihadi groups and Western powers, while the internal dynamics of these groups have been largely overlooked. However, Jihadi Politics by Tore Hamming challenges this norm by shedding light on internal jihadi conflicts. Hamming presents an intriguing argument, asserting that while the interplay of religion and politics undeniably shapes intra-jihadi conflicts, the primary drivers of these disputes are rather the ambitions for power and hegemony and whether these disagreements are inherent to them.
What sets this book apart is its unique perspective and methodology. Hamming adopts an approach that views the internal conflicts from the jihadists’ standpoint. The author describes his work as a history of intra-jihadi conflicts through the lens of the actors involved. This perspective is made possible by the relationships Hamming built with jihadi leaders, enabling him to connect directly with key figures during the development of the book. This approach makes his analysis exclusive and significantly contributes to the field.
The author departs from the logical assumption that internal conflicts should be absent within jihadi movements, as they are highly isolated with many enemies and few allies and have an aligned ideology among members, yet that’s not the case in reality within these groups. The book provides a compelling and well-supported analysis of the internal dynamics of the Sunni Jihadi Movement (SJM) with a specific focus on the period between 2014-2019 as a significant era that had a pivotal role in the evolution of Sunni Jihadi movements, particularly ISIS’ rise, territorial expansion, and its subsequent decline.
At the heart of Jihadi Politics is the rivalry between al-Qaida and ISIS, two entities often misrepresented as ideologically homogeneous. Hamming’s analysis dissects this rivalry with precision, highlighting the contrasting strategies and priorities of the two organizations. Al-Qaida’s cautious pragmatism, rooted in gradualism and long-term alliances, stands in sharp contrast to ISIS’s aggressive and uncompromising pursuit of ideological purity and territorial expansion. This tension between pragmatism and purity runs throughout the book and serves as a lens through which to understand not only the events of 2014–2019 but also the broader dynamics of Jihadi politics. One of the main arguments of the book was based on this trajectory, showing how their split was rooted in competition for leadership over the global Jihadi movement rather than purely theological divides, highlighting how ideological disagreements often serve as justifications rather than root causes for conflict.
Hamming also centers his argument around the “Conflict Cycle” as a framework for understanding this fragmentation. He identifies a recurring conflict cycle within the SJM, characterized by ideological tensions, discursive contestation, violent confrontation, and failed reconciliation. This cycle perpetuates fragmentation and undermines the cohesion of Jihadi groups. The failed reconciliation efforts between al-Qaida and ISIS illustrate how factional disputes escalate and become entrenched. By identifying and analyzing this cycle, he provides a framework for understanding the persistent fragmentation of the Sunni Jihadi Movement. A comprehensive analysis was also provided into what keeps these groups locked within this cycle, from the decentralized nature of the ideology itself to specific interpretations of religious text and the differences in strategies taken to achieve the goals. This approach not only offers valuable insights into the fragility of cohesion within Jihadi movements but also raises critical questions about their long-term sustainability. The concept of the conflict cycle is both analytical and predictive, offering a lens through which to anticipate future developments within Jihadi politics.
Hamming’s empirical rigor is one of the book’s greatest strengths. His use of primary sources, including Jihadi publications, propaganda materials, and social media platforms, lends authenticity to his analysis. By directly engaging with the voices of Jihadi actors, Hamming constructs a narrative that is both nuanced and immediate. This engagement is further enriched by his interviews with current and former Jihadists and meeting their families, which provide rare insights into their perspectives and lived experiences. Such methodological depth distinguishes Jihadi Politics from other works in the field, such as Gilles Kepel’s Terror in France (2017), which, while insightful, leans more heavily on secondary sources and adopts a Eurocentric lens.
The book resonates with earlier scholarship while also breaking new ground. For instance, Vahid Brown and Don Rassler’s Fountainhead of Jihad (2013) explores the historical roots of al-Qaida’s networked structure and its susceptibility to fragmentation. However, where Brown and Rassler focus on historical and logistical underpinnings, Hamming delves into the specific mechanisms and instances of conflict within the contemporary Jihadi landscape. Similarly, Fawaz Gerges’ ISIS: A History (2016) provides a comprehensive account of ISIS’s rise and fall but dedicates less attention to the internal rivalries that Hamming meticulously documents. By focusing on the dynamics of intra-movement conflict, Hamming’s work complements and extends these studies.
One of the most compelling themes of Jihadi Politics is the dichotomy between ideological purity and pragmatic flexibility. Hamming’s exploration of this tension illuminates the strategic calculations underpinning Jihadi politics. For instance, ISIS’s declaration of a caliphate in 2014 was a bold and ideologically driven move, alienated many potential allies, and marked a turning point in its relationship with al-Qaida. Hamming captures the strategic miscalculations of such decisions while also highlighting their appeal to certain constituencies within the Jihadi movement. His analysis builds on and extends the work of scholars like Cole Bunzel, whose Caliphate of Contradictions (2021) examines the interplay between ideology and strategy within ISIS. While Bunzel focuses more narrowly on theological contradictions, Hamming’s broader approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of the movement’s dynamics.
Hamming also situates the Jihadi conflict within a broader comparative framework, drawing parallels with other insurgent movements such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Tamil Tigers. These comparisons challenge the tendency to treat Jihadi movements as uniquely irrational or ideologically rigid, instead presenting them as part of a wider phenomenon of factionalism within revolutionary contexts. This perspective broadens the scope of the analysis, making it relevant not only to scholars of terrorism but also to those studying insurgency and political violence more generally.
Despite its many strengths, the book is not without its limitations. Its focus on Syria and Iraq, while justified, comes at the expense of other regions such as the Sahel, Somalia, and Southeast Asia, where Jihadi rivalries have also played out. Jacob Zenn’s Unmasking Boko Haram (2020), for example, offers a more comprehensive examination of African Jihadism, a dimension that Hamming’s work could have engaged with. Similarly, while Hamming’s emphasis on politics over theology is refreshing, his analysis of theological debates is less robust. Works like Joas Wagemakers’ A Quietist Jihadi (2012) provide a more balanced treatment of the interplay between theology and strategy, offering a valuable complement to Hamming’s predominantly political focus.
Tore Hamming’s exploration of Sunni Jihadi movements reveals fragmentation as an intrinsic characteristic of the movement, deeply rooted in its decentralized structure and diverse ideological currents. He traces this tendency back to the movement’s historical origins, drawing parallels to the Khawarij movement in early Islam and the factionalism within groups like al-Qaeda in Iraq. This endemic fragmentation, Hamming argues, has only intensified in the post-Arab Spring era, showcasing the movement’s historical and structural susceptibility to internal divisions.
The cost of these rivalries within the movement is profound. They weaken the movement’s overall effectiveness by depleting resources, losing recruits, and eroding legitimacy. Hamming’s analysis of propaganda materials highlights how competing factions, in their attempts to delegitimize one another, harm their immediate rivals and alienate potential supporters, exposing vulnerabilities within the movement. This self-destructive pattern underscores the heavy toll of these internecine conflicts.
Furthermore, Hamming demonstrates that the rivalry between al-Qaida and ISIS has global implications. It transcends the borders of Syria and Iraq to influence regions like Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, and the Sahel. ISIS’s establishment of global provinces (Wilayat) directly challenged al-Qaida’s decentralized network model, illustrating how strategic ambitions intertwine with localized contexts to globalize these intra-Jihadi conflicts.
While political ambitions remain the primary drivers of these disputes, Hamming does not entirely dismiss the role of ideology. Instead, he examines how theological disagreements intersect with strategic considerations, shaping the rhetoric and actions of rival factions. For instance, the ideological rift over “takfir” (excommunication) became a key point of contention between al-Qaida and ISIS, profoundly influencing their operational strategies and recruitment methods. This interplay of ideology and strategy underscores the complexity of internal conflicts within the Sunni Jihadi movement.
The historical perspective provided in Jihadi Politics adds further depth to its analysis. By tracing the roots of Jihadi fragmentation back to the 1960s, Hamming situates the al-Qaida-ISIS split within a broader trajectory of factionalism within Jihadism. His discussion of concepts like fitna (internal strife) and their theological and historical implications highlights the enduring tensions shaping the Sunni Jihadi Movement. Parallels with early Islamic history, particularly the Khawarij’s self-destructive infighting, offer a powerful lens through which to interpret contemporary dynamics.
Tore Hamming’s academic journey has played a vital role in shaping his approach to studying Jihadism. A Ph.D. graduate of the European University Institute, Hamming developed his expertise under the mentorship of scholars like Olivier Roy and Stéphane Lacroix. His fieldwork, including interviews with Jihadi leaders, and his reliance on primary sources reflect a commitment to empirical authenticity that sets his work apart. Writing during a period of significant upheaval within the Sunni Jihadi Movement, Hamming captures a critical moment in its history with precision and insight.
The inspirations behind Jihadi Politics are evident in the broader literature that Hamming engages with throughout the book. Seminal works like Stéphane Lacroix’s Awakening Islam, Thomas Hegghammer’s Jihad in Saudi Arabia, and Nelly Lahoud’s The Jihadis’ Path to Self-Destruction provide the intellectual foundation for Hamming’s analysis. However, his engagement with these texts is not merely derivative; he extends their insights, challenging and refining their conclusions in light of his empirical findings.
In conclusion, Jihadi Politics: The Global Jihadi Civil War (2014–2019) is a masterful exploration of one of the most significant yet understudied aspects of modern Jihadism in a time slot when major events surrounding the movement occurred. Concurrently, the Syrian Civil War and the broader aftermath of the Arab Spring created unprecedented opportunities and challenges for Jihadi groups, exacerbating internal rivalries as they competed for recruits, resources, and legitimacy. By focusing on the internal dynamics of the Sunni Jihadi Movement, Tore Hamming provides a vital resource for understanding the complexities of these groups and the challenges they pose to global security. His work is a testament to the power of rigorous scholarship to illuminate even the darkest corners of human conflict. It’s not enough to want an Islamic State; there should be an agreement on what that looks like and how to get there!