Geopolitics: Radical Islam & Developing Nations

Radical Islam

Radical Islam, or Islamic fundamentalism, advocates a strict and radical application of Islamic principles, including:

• Observance of Sharia, or Islamic law, which imposes strict moral and religious ideas.
• The grouping of Muslim countries into a political union.

To achieve its objectives, proponents believe Muslims should:

1. Confront Western culture, especially that of the USA.
2. Depose governments in Arab countries allied with the West and replace them with Islamic governments.
3. Eliminate Western influence from these countries.
4. Some use terrorism.

In recent decades, Islamic fundamentalism has directly influenced governments such as Iran and increased its influence in others, for example, Afghanistan, Egypt, Algeria, Palestine, and Lebanon.

Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa

The Development of Latin America

1980s: A period of political instability due to military dictatorships and various guerrilla movements.

• This caused a significant economic crisis that brought inflation, debt, unemployment, and poverty.

1990s: Democracy was established in Argentina, Chile, and Nicaragua.

• However, Cuba maintained a communist regime under the rule of Fidel Castro.
• Strict economic readjustments were imposed by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) to repay debt.
• Economic cooperation between Latin American countries was promoted through Mercosur and the Comunidad Andina de Naciones.

Some countries in Latin America have become emergent powers thanks to:

• Wealth in natural resources.
• North American and European companies moving factories there to find cheap labor and new markets.

Sub-Saharan Africa: An Area of Instability

Sub-Saharan Africa is the most underdeveloped area in the world, facing challenges such as political instability, economic underinvestment, rapidly growing demography, social inequality, malnutrition, illiteracy, and epidemics such as AIDS.

Exception: South Africa

• Apartheid was abolished in 1994, putting an end to discrimination against the Black population.
• Significant inequalities persist.
• Its economic performance is much greater than in other African countries.

The most significant geopolitical conflicts are caused by:

• Rivalries between tribes for historical, religious, or ethnic reasons, often a result of the decolonization process.
• Control of natural resources and mines.

These problems have provoked interregional wars and civil wars that have caused massacres and the exodus of civilians.

• Many have had to settle in refugee camps in neighboring countries, where life is extremely hard.
• The most affected countries are Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Angola.

The New Dialogue Forums

Recent geopolitical changes have led countries to establish new forums for international negotiations.

• The dialogue could take place within a UN framework or other means.