Headlines about the refugee crisis in
the Middle East seem to be covering news media across the globe, and
understandably so. The struggles that the affected individuals, particularly from areas of Iraq and Syria, face are immense. The increasingly powerful
and extremely radical Islamic State leaves the
people within the affected regions with few options.
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| ibt.com |
Before
going any further, I would like to make clear that the basis on which the
Islamic State stands is “…the most medieval interpretations of Sharia ” (Winter). The actions and behaviors of the Islamic State
are not typical for those who practice Islam, plain and simple. The Islamic
State is a caliphate meaning “… a state governed in accordance with Islamic
law, or Sharia, by God's deputy on Earth, or caliph” (What is the “Islamic
State”). Their rampant looting, kidnapping, and prostitution of women are not
beliefs that are supported by Islam.
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| bbc.com |
When looking at those affected by conflict in the Iraq and Syria reigon (shown in photo), there are 4 prominent groups: those fleeing the invaded areas, those who
are forced to join the Islamic State, those fighting the invasion, and those
choose to join. Though people are often forced into one of these groups, there are
varying presences of agency that exist within each one. Agency, in terms of philosophy and the humanities, is the ability
for someone to act as an individual. In addition, agency is known to be a
rational decision that is based purely on reason.
As
over 3.3 million leave Iraq and Syria, due to the
Islamic State invasion, those who flee are not able to exhibit proper agency. Their
decision to leave is rational, as they do not want to face the invading Islamic
State, but the invasion prevents them from making an autonomous decision. Thus,
impulse and emotion take over and impedes the ability to express agency. The stakes
of their choice are high as they risk loosing everything, including their life,
if they do not flee.
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| bbc.com |
Famously
known for “ultraviolence,” the Islamic State capture or kill those that oppose them - especially when invading a new area.
It is this aspect of invasion that creates a lack of agency for the victims,
when they are selected by Islamic State members and forced to join. The lack of
agency is apparent as they are trained to fight for the Islamic State, and have to be brainwashed to justify their actions. The stakes are high for those
forced to join, as any misstep could lead to death (Winter).
The
role of agency starts to shift, when looking at those who decide to fight the
Islamic State. Those who stay and fight exhibit agency by choosing to oppose. Though
they are pressured to take action by intruding forces, they make the
deliberative decision to stay and fight. This decision is make knowing the commitment and risks involved. The stakes are clearly high, for this particular group, but
their ability to act demonstrates the use of agency.
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| bbc.com |
Various
recruitment tactics have caused an influx of civilians to join the Islamic State.
The Islamic State puts out various forms of propaganda to entice men and women
of all ages to join the Islamic state. Pictures and articles of scenery,
charity, and everyday life are juxtaposed by acts of violence. This pattern is in their media campaign. It is through this recruitment
that the Islamic State gains the majority of their members. Since there is no
external pressure to join the caliphate unwilling, for this particular group,
agency is the primary means of their decision. The stakes are low for those who
opt into the caliphate, and their decision is based on their beliefs going
before hand.
When looking at the situation as a whole, the ability for the affected people to exhibit agency varies greatly depending on how each group was affected by the Islamic State’s presence. Putting judgment aside, it is important to look at the humanistic perspective on the issue of agency. Though the situation in Iraq and Syria is unfortunate, it is a very high profile example of how people are able or unable to express themselves through choice.
Works Cited
Crowcoft, Orlando. "Isis: Worst Refugee Crisis in a Generation as Millions Flee Islamic State in Iraq and Syria." International Business Times RSS. IBT, 17 June 2015. Web. 06 Oct. 2015.
"Free Online Dictionary." Agency (philosophy). N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2015.
"What Is 'Islamic State'? - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., 29 June 2015. Web. 06 Oct. 2015.
Winter, Charlie. "Fishing and Ultraviolence." BBC News. BBC, 6 Oct. 2015. Web. 06 Oct. 2015.
It's true that the refugees don't have much agency since they leave because of the threat of force, and the same could be said for those who remained. According to the BBC article only 30% of the fighters were those who truly believe in the cause, the rest of the fighters are forced. This percentage of fighters raises a concern, since these men are forced to fight for the Islamic State should they be treated the same as a civilian living within Islamic State's control or are they necessary collateral damage when they are killed in the air strikes, it was stated that 10,000 ISIS fighters were killed in U.S led air strikes, but according to the article about 70% of those fighters killed were those who were forced to fight for the Islamic State. This is an unfortunate percentage of those who had no choice, but could this be a fact of war, that most involved want nothing to do with it but will still be killed indiscriminately?
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