Connections
Contents
Disunity in Global Jihad: A Preface
The Mole and the Mallet: Islamic State and al-Qaeda in the ‘Thirty Years' War’ in the Middle East
Heirs of Abu Bakr: On the Ideology and Conception of History in al-Qaeda and Islamic State
Islamic State Enters Al-Qaeda’s Old Hotbed: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Islamic State in Yemen – A Rival to al-Qaeda?
Islamic State’s Incursion into North Africa and Sahel: A Threat to al-Qaeda?
Islamic State and al-Qaeda’s Foreign Fighters
Migrants, Housewives, Warriors or Sex Slaves: AQ’s and the Islamic State’s Perspectives on Women
Conventional as well as atypical threats and vulnerabilities tend to undermine the core principles and functioning mechanisms of democratic societies. This article examines internal weaknesses and foreign intervention operations seeking the manipulation of the electorate and thus diminishing legitimate political participation and questioning the very essence of democracy. The analytical focus is on manipulation and disinformation mainly through mass media and social network platforms. This is increasing the risk of undermining public confidence and trust in democratic institutions and processes. The main argument is that democratic institutions and processes can and must be made more resilient. The article provides a framework of analysis for the resilience of political institutions and processes and investigates current initiatives, including of EU and NATO, to strengthen resilience.
Previous Issue
The Fall 2016 issue of Connections is dedicated to the NATO Summit that took place in Warsaw, Poland in July 2016. During the Summit, heads of state and government of allied and partner countries discussed key security challenges. This journal issue takes a deep look into two key themes - assuring the security of the Alliance in view of the hybrid ...
Read More
