1st Edition Pakistan, Regional Security and Conflict Resolution: The Pashtun ‘Tribal’ Areas By Farooq Yousaf (Copyright Year 2021) This book shows how colonial legacies and the postcolonial state of Pakistan negatively influenced the socio-political and cultural dynamics and the security situation in Pakistan’s Pashtun ‘tribal’ areas, formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). ItContinue reading “My Book with Routledge: Pakistan, Regional Security and Conflict Resolution”
Lessons from Afghanistan’s Post-9/11 Peace-building Project
Dr Farooq Yousaf Peace is an integral concept in the discourses and practices of International Relations (IR). There are varying definitions and “perceptions” of peace, especially when it comes to the material and conceptual divide between the Global North and the Global South. It is important to acknowledge the contributions of discursive constructions of peace,Continue reading “Lessons from Afghanistan’s Post-9/11 Peace-building Project”
SwissPeace Policy Brief – US withdrawal and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan: Future Policy Directions
Dr Farooq Yousaf and Moheb Jabarkhail Abstract: This policy brief informs on the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and what the future holds for the war-torn country under a Taliban regime. The brief discusses recent developments in the country, Taliban’s PR campaign and the (grim) situation for gender and media rights under the TalibanContinue reading “SwissPeace Policy Brief – US withdrawal and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan: Future Policy Directions”
The Taliban of 2021 are the Taliban of 1996, but with a PR twist
Farooq Yousaf | 1 September 2021 When Kabul finally fell to the Taliban on August 15, 2021, several scholarly and media commentaries, both within and outside the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, started focusing on the Taliban’s positive moves and intent. This intent, for starters, is embodied by a smart and slick PR campaign that focuses on the positivesContinue reading “The Taliban of 2021 are the Taliban of 1996, but with a PR twist”
Inside the Taliban’s religious school (My Interview with ABC Radio)
My interview with Australia’s ABC Radio Where did today’s Taliban leaders and fighters learn their harsh brand of Islam? You may have heard about the madrassas, or religious schools, that have operated throughout Pakistan’s tribal areas for decades. But since 2001, this new generation of Taliban have also been nurtured by technology — and theContinue reading “Inside the Taliban’s religious school (My Interview with ABC Radio)”
My six major personal and professional lessons from 2020
Dr Farooq Yousaf 2020 was a strange and difficult year for many. The year began and ended with a global pandemic that brought a 180-degree change in how we looked at things; both personally and professionally. Things that mattered the most (jobs and money) went in the background, whereas things that had a secondary priorityContinue reading “My six major personal and professional lessons from 2020”
Book Review: Pakistan, Regional Security and Conflict Resolution – The Pashtun “Tribal” Areas
Reviewed by Dr Claude Rakisits The tribal areas of Pakistan have played a critical role in the security of the country since Partition, particularly since the Taliban was ousted from power in 2001. Dr Farooq Yousaf’s book illustrates while militant activity has diminished in recent times, the law-and-order situation in the tribal areas remains precarious.Continue reading “Book Review: Pakistan, Regional Security and Conflict Resolution – The Pashtun “Tribal” Areas”
The rise of lockdown radicalism
Author: Farooq Yousaf COVID-19 lockdowns throughout the world have aggravated socio-political inequalities, especially in the Global South as governments try to respond to the pandemic. Various terrorist, radical and violent extremist groups, especially the so-called Islamic State, are trying to cash in on these inequalities to propagate hate-filled narratives. In Nigeria, for instance, Boko Haram hasContinue reading “The rise of lockdown radicalism”
Why Bose Sleepbuds™ II might just be the solution for young researchers with sleep issues
Disclaimer: This is not a paid review or promotion. These are personal experiences and views on a product that helped me regain some of my lost sleep. These observations are based on my own specific personal circumstances. I am not an expert on sleep issues, therefore, I am not generalizing the benefits of this productsContinue reading “Why Bose Sleepbuds™ II might just be the solution for young researchers with sleep issues”
Covid-19 and the threat from Islamic State’s online and ‘family’ networks
Dr Farooq Yousaf Following its territorial losses in Iraq and Syria and in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to tighter territorial, border and air controls, the Islamic State may seek to use unconventional methods for its radicalisation and recruitment drives. Two such methods are stepping up its online presence and propagandaContinue reading “Covid-19 and the threat from Islamic State’s online and ‘family’ networks”
[Publication] Islamic State and Kin Terrorism in the Post-COVID-19 South Asia: Exploring the Possibilities and Implications
Yousaf, F. (2020). Islamic State and Kin Terrorism in the Post-COVID-19 South Asia: Exploring the Possibilities and Implications. Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses. 12(5). 21-25 URL: https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CTTA-September-2020.pdf Synopsis:Since territorial and organisational setbacks in Iraq and Syria, coupled with improvements in financial and border controls, the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group is employing unconventional strategies toContinue reading “[Publication] Islamic State and Kin Terrorism in the Post-COVID-19 South Asia: Exploring the Possibilities and Implications”
Dr Farooq Yousaf 