From Ideology to Action:Analyzing Rapoport’s Terrorism Framework in the Context of Al-Shabaab’s Evolving Extremist Ideology in the Horn of Africa

This study examines the evolution of Al-Shabaab’s extremist ideology in the Horn of Africa through David Rapoport’s Four Waves of Terrorism framework. It aims to analyze the persistent influence of Al-Shabaab amidst counterinsurgency efforts, highlighting the interplay between local grievances and global jihadist narratives. Through an ideological analysis of secondary sources, the research reveals that Al-Shabaab merges Somali nationalism with global jihadist ideologies, framing its struggle as both a local defense against foreign intervention and part of Islamic movement. This dual narrative is crucial for sustaining recruitment and operational resilience, illustrating the complexities of contemporary terrorism in the region.

索马里伊斯兰极端组织的发展及影响

冷战后,伊斯兰极端组织在索马里迅速发展,成为该国乃至非洲之角面临的最严重的非传统安全威胁之一。从根源上来看,索马里伊斯兰极端组织是体系层面、地区层面与国家层面结构性因素互动的综合产物。索马里的伊斯兰极端组织在其发展过程中形成了理念相互共享、成员相互渗透和行动策略相互模仿等特点,境外极端分子在其中扮演着重要的角色。索马里伊斯兰极端组织频繁发动暴力恐袭,不仅对索马里的民族国家构建造成挑战,而且极大地冲击了非洲之角的国际关系格局。面对索马里伊斯兰极端组织的泛滥,国际社会和地区力量均采取了一系列应对措施,但目前取得的成效十分有限,其主要原因在于索马里伊斯兰极端组织对意识形态的多重"包装"和其管理能力的不断提升,以及各方力量在打击索马里伊斯兰极端组织过程中的相互掣肘。