Welcome to the Sahelian Jihad, a new personal blog where I plan to discuss interesting things pertaining to my graduate research into the history of al Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Sahel. For my capstone at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, I seek to dig deeper into the history of the jihadist movement in the region (specifically Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) to better understand today's ever deteriorating mess in the Sahel. Much of understanding where we are today relies on knowing how we got here.
As such, I am specifically looking into the Sahelian operations of the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and its splinter, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which later became al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Local movements, such as those inside Mauritania or Burkina Faso, will also be explored in the context of the wider jihad. From here, I hope to build a more comprehensive history of today's Sahelian conflict.
Moving forward, I plan to provide short articles on specific pieces of old jihadist propaganda I find, articles on overlooked or understudied details regarding these movements, or generally any other musings related to my research. Having all of this organized in one location can provide for a more cohesive understanding of the broader picture for not only myself, but hopefully for others interested in this topic!
- Caleb
As such, I am specifically looking into the Sahelian operations of the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and its splinter, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which later became al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Local movements, such as those inside Mauritania or Burkina Faso, will also be explored in the context of the wider jihad. From here, I hope to build a more comprehensive history of today's Sahelian conflict.
Moving forward, I plan to provide short articles on specific pieces of old jihadist propaganda I find, articles on overlooked or understudied details regarding these movements, or generally any other musings related to my research. Having all of this organized in one location can provide for a more cohesive understanding of the broader picture for not only myself, but hopefully for others interested in this topic!
- Caleb