UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

FACULTY OF SECURITY STUDIES

International relations

Political Islam and International Relations

(Esposito, John L., John O. Voll. 2003. Islam and the West. In: Petito, Fabio, Pavlos
Hatzopoulos. Religion in International Relations- THE RETURN FROM EXILE. New York:
Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 238-242)
Essay

Mentors: eljko Ivani

Student: Milica Djukanovic 16/13

Vladimir Ajzenhamer

22.11.2016
Belgrade

Under full criminal and material responsability I claim that this essay is an original work. I understand
that plagiarism is punishable and I am ready to accept the consequence if it is proven that this essay is a
forgery.

In the last twenty years the global stage has changed beyond recognition. Today we have a
different balance of power and force than twenty years ago, the importance of different
international organizations. States are not only relevant subjects in international relations now;
there are also individuals, groups and many other. From this we see that today is everything
become increasingly important, anyone can be influential as long as it is allowed. The influence
of the United States was at its peak until the global economic crisis in 2007. and 2008 year. In
parallel with these developments, China's economic growth followed her to the place of the
richest countries in 2013. Other countries now want their own place in regional power, it is not
just the United States, and there are China, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, India and others who also
want their piece of cake. However, some organizations also showed a dominant role in the
negotiation and international relations, for example European Union and NATO.
The whole world is watching at world events from the perspective of the Western powers
and Western values, and the Eastern world for a long time been neglected, and put in a different
position from the west. But everything changed when the terrorists attacked on the U.S. of
September in 2001. Then the world realized that this is not a battle of individuals, the states, the
opposing sides, and that's what Samuel Huntington wrote in his book The Clash of Civilizations.
Much more important is the impact of Islam on all of society structures. Somehow, development
of Islamic countries is pushed back on the other side. Its very important the way how democracy
and law come to their countries and how the influence of Islam reduced or enlarged in the sphere
of politics and running the country.
Western countries are afraid of Islam because of several things, such as their extremist
views of the world, the idea of holy war and others, as well as divisions that are Muslims, and
those who do not, and they are called unbelievers. At the end of the twentieth century there was
an "revival of religion", which is considered to be in the future lead to a clash of civilizations .
The question is in which direction the politics of Islamic countries g, and does it go in way to
create a threat for the world in the future. Especially the relationship between politics and religion
in these countries, which can show us the extent to which intertwined the two spheres.
West look to the Islamic countries, countries like the terrorists, will not change easily and
quickly. Dialogue is the factor that will in the future play a huge role, because all eyes are on it to
calm tensions, to reduce the influence of both sides for a better future. Jihad is a major problem

confronting both sides, and the Islamic and Western. Terrorists cause a lot of damage to both. But
there are Islamic environment for its occurrence, we can not blame the U.S. or other country.
Religion plays a major role here.
Religion will play a very significant role in future conflicts, and it is forecast to almost the
entire world public. The influence of religion is huge. Especially on extremist groups that want to
harm Western countries through various acts of terrorism. Religion will not in the future have an
impact only on the conflicts, but also in international relations and transnational relations. As
much as they do now held by the Islamic countries, and it will not be possible when they become
strong enough to be able to claim their rights and their participation at the global level. The
problem will occur at the time when the Islamic countries will not want to accept the value
system of Western countries, but will want to strengthen their influence. This would be in direct
contradiction to what stand for the United States, UK and others.
In many of the documents is mention Jihad, who are committed to fight until doomsday.
Ideology which lead the Jihad is extreme, leads to war and conflict. Jihad is not good for the free
world shrouded in democracy because they can inflict damage and pull out without penalty. The
question that arises in international relations is not only how Jihad works in other countries, but
also how the organization operates within. It is known that at this level there is conflict, and
among them is divisive.
Islamic countries are now in many wars among themselves for regional supremacy, to the
throne. This pine is from 1948 year, and is likely to last for a long time. United States is telling
the world that these local wars are threat to them, and that they must act in accordance with its
national interests. Actually this strange world of Islam today is a friend, tomorrow mortal
enemies. States one day condemn the terrorists, the second day will collaborate with them. Arab
Spring obviously is able to merge incompatible. In fact, interest is the prevailing and moral
principles remain on the sidelines. Who fits to be sympathetic to terrorists and extremists will be
with them, and even that is the United States. Conclusion is that Arab and Islam world will be
threat and problem for other countries in the world, as long as the religion is primate in their
politics. When Islam countries accept modern democratic arrangement, there will be no problem
to communicate with other countries, nations, civilizations. But this is only one opinion, its not
real for now.