Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, and Anti-Terrorism Law in the Arab World

The threat of personal harm and destruction from terrorist attacks is nowhere near as great as in Arab nations. However, are counter-terrorism laws in the Arab world formulated and enforced to protect or oppress? Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, and Anti-Terrorism Law in the Arab World examines the relationship between Western influence and counter-terrorism law, focusing on the Arab world, which is, on the one hand, a hostile producer of terrorist organizations, and on the other, a leader in countering 'terrorism'. With case studies of Egypt and Tunisia, Alzubairi traces the colonial roots of the use of coercion and extra-legal measures to protect the ruling order, which are now justified in both the West and the Arab world in the name of counter-terrorism. Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, and Anti-Terrorism Law in the Arab World provides important lessons for counter-terrorism, not just in these countries but also elsewhere in the world.

Introduction; 1. On imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism; 2. Terrorism and counter-terrorism at the international level: a challenge in the post-colonial world; 3. Terrorism and counter-terrorism in the Arab world; 4. The Colonial and neo-colonial experience in Egypt; 5. Counter-terrorism in Egypt; 6. The colonial and neo-colonial experience in Tunisia; 7. Counter-terrorism in Tunisia; Conclusions.

Fatemah Alzubairi is Assistant Professor in the international law department at Kuwait University. Her area of specialization is counter-terrorism from international and comparative perspectives, counter-insurgency, colonialism, and neo-colonialism. Between 2005 and 2008, Alzubairi worked as a lawyer in the Legislative and the Human Rights committees at the National Assembly of Kuwait.