Unsought Wisdom - 8: Incoming Wave of Extremism – Who Gains?

Why are we increasingly seeing more televised and graphic violence from the Middle East? Why do the images we encounter today seem more shocking than those of the past? And why, if certain Western powers supposedly don't want this content out in the open, is it so prevalent on social media? In theory, it wouldn't be difficult to divert the focus of social platforms elsewhere.

Some might label me a conspiracy theorist, but I believe there's a vested interest in perpetuating global terrorism—specifically, the rise of stateless violence. Historically, times of widespread fear and extreme imagery have provided fertile ground for extremist recruitment. Without strong and unified responses from Muslim-majority countries, disenfranchised youth might find themselves more susceptible to violent ideologies, whether in the Middle East, the West, Europe, or even South Asia.

This instability conveniently benefits those who stand to gain from increased militarization. It offers justification for a larger military footprint globally, pressures European nations into tighter security alliances, and expands surveillance over civilian populations. Moreover, this feeds into the growing demand for data, particularly for AI and security technology development.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns may have offered a glimpse into control mechanisms, but they weren't sufficient to achieve total authority. Perhaps a renewed wave of global terrorism could provide the pretext needed for a more profound power grab.

Dhaka 
October 2024