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INDIANA UNIVERSITY EXPERTS AVAILABLE
TO ANALYZE DEVELOPMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN, SUDAN
EDITORS: In response to today's bombing of bases in Afghanistan and Sudan, here are several Indiana University experts who are following the situation and can comment on various aspects. Should you need further assistance reaching these experts, contact Ellen Mathia or George Vlahakis, IU Office of Communications and Marketing, at 812-855-3911.
OSAMA BIN LADEN AND HIS ORGANIZATION MAY EMERGE stronger, not weaker, after today's (Aug. 20) air strikes against his bases in Afghanistan and Sudan, says Robert W. White, associate professor of sociology at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. White is an expert on political violence, terrorism and its impact on governments, and the political systems of countries affected by the threat of terrorism. He comments that the U.S. military action today was "probably a display for the media," and that it was "not a smart thing to do" because it won't kill the millionaire who is funding terrorist activities from his base in Afghanistan. Instead, it will probably increase his political support in the Arab world and win more recruits to his fundamentalist cause, thus making the situation worse. White can be reached at his office, phone 317-274-8305 or at rwwhite@iupui.edu (Hal Kibbey, 812-855-0074, hkibbey@indiana.edu)
AIR STRIKES RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHANGING NATURE of terrorism and the difficulties the new forms of terrorism present to countries and international law, according to David Fidler, IU associate professor of law. "The air strikes violate the territorial integrity of Afghanistan and Sudan," said Fidler, "and the U.S. will be taken to task for its actions by other countries." But Fidler observes that the changing nature of terrorism may have dictated the U.S. response. Previous air strikes related to terrorism, such as against Libya, were reprisals for state-sponsored terrorism. The present situation, involving groups associated with Osama bin Laden, demonstrates the changing nature of terrorism. Bin Laden's group differs from prior terrorist organizations, such as the PLO, that had specific political objectives. Fidler believes the air strikes "open up concerns about trying to apply traditional principles of international law to this non-traditional threat." Fidler worries that these shadowy groups may use biological or chemical weapons as part of their strategies. "How," he asks, "do we deal with these threats within the traditional framework of international law?" Fidler can be reached at 812-855-6403 (office), 812-334-8212 (home) or by e-mail at davidfidler@law.indiana.edu (George Vlahakis, 812-855-0846, gvlahaki@indiana.edu)
OSAMA BIN LADEN, THE SAUDI MILLIONAIRE suspected in the bombings of U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, has been actively supporting a group called the Taliban, which is responsible for some of the worst human-rights abuses in the Middle East, according to Nazif Shahrani (nah-ZEEF sha-RAHN-nee), professor of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University. "Every Friday in Afghanistan they have these exhibitions, basically, in sports stadiums, where they bring criminals to have their hands amputated for stealing, or to be shot for murder," Shahrani said. "This is not standard Islamic practice by any stretch of the imagination." Shahrani is an anthropologist born and raised in Afghanistan. He is a specialist in the role of Islam in politics and the relationship of Muslim political movements, social change and development. He can be reached at 812-855-4858 (office), 812-332-8868 (home) or by e-mail at shahrani@indiana.edu (Jeff Austin, 812-855-0084, jeaustin@indiana.edu)
TAKING A VERY PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE SITUATION are Wal and Julia Duany, two natives of Sudan who are political science scholars in the IU Workshop in Political Theory & Policy Analysis. Both are knowledgeable about the political situation there and have been trying to reach friends and family in Sudan to learn more about what is happening in the wake of today's U.S. strike. They will be available to comment after they have learned more from their contacts in Sudan and elsewhere. The couple can be reached at 812-333-0318 (home) and at 812-855-0441 (office). (Hal Kibbey, 812-855-0074, hkibbey@indiana.edu)