Book Title:  Algeria: France’s Undeclared War (Making of the Modern World) 1st Edition
Author:  Martin Evans
Publisher:  Oxford University Press (March 2013)

1.    French moves into Algeria/Background.
2.    Views of Algeria and Algerians.
3.    Algerian thinking and behavior under French rule.
4.    Actions and counter-actions.
5.    Emerging French patterns.
6.    The Algerian path.
7.    Sprinting to the finish.
8.    Open wounds/Ongoing legacy.

Introduction

1. Does not recommend the appointment of former Marine James Mattis as the secretary of Defense
2. As this man is famed for his islamophobia views, which could possibly lead to a hostile racial policy enacted upon specific groups of people.
3. In these dire times where there are ramping terrorist activity and increase in racial tension, we must take caution in the appointment of the secretary of Defense.
4. The intolerant believes that Mr. Mattis held could lead to further escalation of terrorist activity.
5. It is most essential that the newly appointed Sec-Def. to have an extensive understanding with the Islam extremists themselves instead of simply being a xenophobic isolationist, as this could very well determine whether if we could solve the terrorist crisis in the middle east once and for all.
6. To clarify the meaning of “extensive understanding with the Islam extremists”, we have attached the recommended requirement that we are looking for in our possible future Sec-Def.

Extensive understanding of Islam relation with the west

The Colonial history of the middle east

1. the French in the Middle East

• The Napoleonic era’s Egyptian campaign
• The “colonization” of Algeria

2. the British in the Middle East

• The British in Egypt
• The British in Kuwait

The Post-colonial history of the Middle East

1. The Decolonization
2. American interventionism

Knowing the Reason why Europe and specifically France is the target of Terrorist attacks

Historic reason

1. The “Colonization” of Middle East

• As suggested above, the Europeans had a long history exploitation of the Middle Eastern people.

2. France as a major target

• France is one of the first nations that is involved in the colonization of Middle East
• France, unlike other European countries during the colonial era, had actually taken and integrated large amount of territories in the Middle East

1. Battle of Algeria

• “Hands off” attitude during the decolonization era
• The mixed and complex French ideology/attitude towards the French Muslims
• Republican universalism

1. The headscarf controversies

Comparison of the aftermaths in the French attacks and the US attacks

The fear for people with middle eastern decent

1. In the book “crossing the blvd” a real life case suggested that right after the event of 911, a taxi driver with Middle Eastern decent in New York stated that his taxi was actively avoided by the people. As people were scared of him as he looked “similar” to the terrorist.
2. In France, it is even more obvious than the US cases, as the leftist party in France “The National Front” started to gain support as the fear of Islam rises.
3. The book “Muslim girl, coming of age”, showed the hardship that a Muslim girl had to go through growing up in the US after 911.

The hate for people with middle eastern decent

1. In the book “crossing the blvd”, suggested another case where a café owner which happens to be of Middle Eastern decent had his property trashed by a few man because of his ethnicity.
2. According to the New York Times, an article suggests that a Muslim girl that was wearing a headscarf in France had been publicly cussed on just because of her religious beliefs.

Suggestions on the appointment of the future Sectary of Defense

1. We hope to look for a rational and cool-headed man/woman as our Sectary of Defense
2. Looking at Mr. Mattis recent comment and expressed view a specific groups of people, he did not seem to have an appropriate mindset to become the Sectary of Defense currently.

Source: Davidson

Intro

– General Mattis would not be a good fit.
– US needs to look to France a case study on how the west interacts with Muslims.
– Mattis overall view on Muslims would not work in America. Especially since there isn’t that long of a history of Muslim and Americans.
– France has the largest population of Muslims in Europe and has the most interaction with them.
– The tensions in France between the “French” and the “Muslims” need to studied to see how solutions can be applied to the states.

History

– Muslims were the “other” to the west (including france)
– they were exotic and were conceived to be much different from Europeans
– Islam isn’t a Judeo-Christian religion and follows, while similar, a different set of rules
– Muslims were mostly from North Africa and the Middle East.
– Muslims were racialized on top of it and this furthered the thinking that white Europeans were better than Muslims.
– France colonized most of North Africa and had the most interaction with them.

Algeria

• Muslims were treated as non citizens in the country they were native to.
• French believed muslims could never be french, or truly secular because of their connection to their religion
• They could not give up their practices.
• So France treated Algerians as different.
• During the revolution, techniques were used to torture rebels.
• Algerian soldiers who fought in the world war were hid from history

France Today

• There is still racist rhetoric against the muslim population of France, against people who are citizens.
• They are called Africans, or immigrants, while a lot are born citizens and most Muslims are not from Africa.
• Hijab is seen as a display of Islam and a reminder how Muslims cannot be French

America, what they need to do

• France shows what it is like to have a western perspective on “eastern tradition.”
• Americans have a growing number of muslims, now as born citizens.
• There is a push to portray Muslims as a whole as terrorists or trouble, it isn’t true.
• To make Muslims the “other”, would mean to put them below what is considered a citizen.
• That is where the problem lies.
• Mattis isn’t looking to fiz the terrorist problem. But rather “bring to light” violent Islam
• Algiers is just an example of how people would react if they were put down for so long
• There has to be a dialogue with the Islam community to improve relations, not sever them.

conclusion

History final paper outline and sources

I: The status quo in Syria and its affect on France and by extension, American security is unsustainable. The lack of transparency between the refugees and the French government is detrimental to international security. Furthermore, France cannot sustain such a large migrant population on top of their own citizens. Therefore, in order to restore security and stability to both Europe and Syria, which would have a positive affect for American security, the NATO needs to force a decisive intervention in Syria. With an effective intervention, we can alleviate economic and social pressure in Europe, as well as facilitate rehabilitation of millions of Syrian refugees under an international coalition supervising their safety.

II.

1. The cost of refugees in France as a case study
2. Cost of Calais jungle example
3. Cost for security and total cost of Europe

III. Security concerns and problems

1. Terror attacks
2. Difficulties with counter terrorism and reactive policing
3. Increased xenophobia and social breakdown
4. Solution.

IV.

1. Forcing Russia to play ball or step back
2. Method of intervention
3. Possible future

V.

1. Conclusion

Sources

Under my Umbrella: The No-Fly Zone Fallacy

http://www.businessinsider.com/robert-gates-syria-red-line-obama-2016-1

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/upfront/2016/11/france-foreign-policy-target-161118105758266.html

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/

https://www.csis.org/analysis/hollande-doctrine-your-guide-today%E2%80%99s-french-foreign-and-security-policy

https://tcf.org/content/report/the-case-for-a-more-robust-intervention-in-syria/

2016. Khosroshavar, “Jihad and the French Exception,” New York Times, July 19, 2016.

Samuel Huntington, “The Clash of Civilizations?” Foreign Affairs 72,3 (Summer 1993): 22-49

http://www.understandingwar.org/report/al-qaeda-and-isis-existential-threats-us-and-europe

http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/warning-update-russia-prepares-escalate-military-intervention-syria

https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/sdn/2016/sdn1602.pdf

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/syrian-refugees-will-cost-ten-times-more-to-care-for-in-europe-than-in-neighboring-countries-a6928676.html

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/724552/Calais-Jungle-migrant-refugee-crisis-cost-France

Final Paper Outline

Part 1: History of Islam’s relations with the West.

• Source: (“Islam and the West in World History.”)
• Start letter to Senator Jefferson Sessions of Alabama (Republican party)
• Quotes made by General Mattis.

Part 2: Why France?

Speak about the 3 most recent attacks within the past 2 years.

• Bataclan
• Bastille Day (2016)
• Charlie Hebdo attack

Reasons why France has become an “easy” target

• France has a history of violence in its encounters with the Middle East and North Africa and a domestic Muslim community with long experiences of discrimination and feelings of exclusion from French society.
• Their proximity to other countries that are breeding grounds for Islamic Jihad.
• France’s prisons have become a recruiting ground for extremists.
• And the French radical right is growing in influence, stoking tensions through rhetoric that is often anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim.
• Recruiting in younger Muslims because they feel isolated and cannot find a place within their religion.
• Jihadist groups find fertile ground for recruitment in France and Belgium due to those states’ staunch secularism “coupled with a sense of marginalization among immigrant communities, especially those from North Africa,” according to the report from the Soufan Group. “Against this sense of alienation, the propaganda of the Islamic State offers an attractive alternative of belonging, purpose, adventure and respect.”

Why General Mattis’ tweet has merit because there are so many different ways that Jihadists’ are making their way into France that it is a concern and especially because they are finding this recruitment within the muslim youth.

Sources:

(http://time.com/4407810/nice-attack-france-target-jihadists-terrorism/)

(http://www.wsj.com/video/uncommon-knowledge-james-mattis-on-radical-islam/47490AA7-F78C-4D29-B5FB-44650CF558AB.html?mod=e2fb)

(http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/france-top-target-terrorists-article-1.2712405)

• Part 1: Islam’s relationship with the West.
  • Introduction:
    • Mr. Mattis’ statements
    • Explanation into what my essay will help establish
  • Sources used: “The Clash of Civilizations” by Samuel Huntington.
    • Although there are early stages in history I want to primarily focus on post ww2 relations.
    • Transfer of power from the old imperialists, Britain and France to the new super power, the U.S.
• Part 2: Contemporary Europe and ISIS.
  • Why is ISIS targeting France?
    • The symbolic importance of France as the largest muslim population in Western Europe.
  • Sources used: “The way people look at us has changed’: Muslim Women on life in Europe.” by Lillie Dremeaux
    • Most of the older women stay content with the rules placed on muslims, some have even given up their studies and feel that nothing will change.
    • In regards to Mr. Mattis’ statements these notes are important because as younger muslims are disenfranchised they feel that they can’t fit in. ISIS targets these individuals and uses their situations to fuel their goals.
    • Therefore what Mr. Mattis is saying is correct, logically their is a reason to be afraid of Islam because there are some who use the fear and bad decision making to further their cause.
  • Sources used: Under the Black Flag: At the frontier of a New Jihad by Sami Moubayed
    • The origins and goals of ISIS

The hijab, headscarf or veil whatever you chose to call it, has over time has caused great conflict around the world, but why? The French view this piece of attire which is simply a part of religion, as a threat. Thats why in over 30 cities wearing a hijab has been banned in most settings including school. Not every woman chooses to wear a hijab, but overtime it has become a symbol of resistance against those trying to get rid of Muslims culture.

In France the hibaj is viewed negatively. It is a symbol of Islams refusal to conform to France’s ‘ways’ of all being the same. Although the french entail that all citizens are equal and the same; to be the same one must not stand out from the rest. The hijab makes it very easy to stand out and for a religious purpose which many don’t like.

France has a long history with Muslims referring to religion, I believe that the problems people have with the hijab are just unsolved tensions that have been going on forever. The hijab is also seen as a symbol of suppression of women. That women are usually covered and have ‘no choice’ unlike the women in Europe.

Wearing the veil in public places especially schools is seen as a religious influence on everybody around you, which is technically a violation. I believe that people are seeing the hibaj as an easy target to continue to remove people from their religion and trying to conform everybody to be the same.

The veil continues to be a point of controversy for the French, or rather the face for what is France versus Muslims. It’s not that at all though. France is going against their own citizens.

This all stems from a racialized religion. France deems Islam as the “other”. The other is what the middle east is, where Islam originates and thrives. From a history of orientalism, where western Europe saw the east as fantastical, strange, and utterly different, France continues to see their Muslims as that. They are the other. They cannot forsake their religion for France and so are not true citizens.

There is some truth to this idea of them being the “other”. I believe that Islam is a religion where its followers must dictate their actions and behavior throughout the day to the religion. France believes in republic where everyone is the same. The Judeo-Christians don’t have to follow their religion exactly to still be religious, but then Muslims dress differently and pray differently.

Coupled with the fact that most Muslims, but not all, in France have origins of North Africa and the Middle East but because Muslims are viewed as one whole group by the France, there’s no difference between non-Arabic or Arabic, Muslim Africans or non-Muslim. They are Muslims, they are different, and they are immigrants to France. They can truly be a part of the French Republic.

I think the history of racism and ignorance of Islam and countries upon countries where there is a cultural difference (Islam is not followed exactly the same throughout each country) leads to what is now the issue of the veil. The women’s veil portrays how modern liberal minds think, a mindset that is non-inclusive. The veil among Muslims is something that is interpreted differently but to western white Europe it is something that shows the limitations of freedom for Muslims, which is something that is not true at all.

“For years, we have had to put up with dirty looks and threatening remarks,” “I’ve been asked to go back home (even though I am home).” Described is a quote by a Muslim woman, Taslima Amar, about what happen in her homeland of France in a recent New York Times article describing the disturbing reality of Muslim women in Europe. This brings to question, why or the headscarf such a contest piece of clothing? For a question that women still deal with in present day we can refer back to history and the interaction between Islam and Europe that formed the idea, beliefs and viewpoints of people towards each other.

Throughout the semester and still leading up to the end of the course we have examined many various thought-provoking different pieces that all have a common denominator of religion and difference. To vaguely answer the question, “Why is the headscarf such a contested piece of clothing?” we can answer that because it is deeply engrained in European history that Muslims are fundamentally different, almost as if they are completely different “other” beings, much of what they do is under great scrutiny and the headscarf is by no mean an attempt to assimilate or integrate into European culture. Chapter 3 of Politics of the Veil is entirely about secularism, or becoming worldly. Because “worldly people” do not wear headscarf, this is a clear sign that the Muslim women who wear these are by no means attempting to assimilate to French or European customs, but rather stick out purposely in society. To continue with that and the imperialism that took place in French history, it is evident that French feel as though they are superior to certain neighboring countries, especially those who are of Muslim in religion. After all, it was the French who had to civilize these savages in the colonization of the early 1900s, right?

It seems that the hijab has taken on a life of its own in France.  The general French Republican view is that it has no place in France’s society of universalism.  Now, amidst the controversy, the hijab has become a symbol of power. While some Muslim women wear the hijab simply because it is part of their religious traditions, others have taken to wearing it as a symbol of resistance to those still trying to dominate every aspect of Muslim lives, even the sacred parts.  France continues to use the hijab as a means of oppression and control.

Given the history of the French and Arabs, specifically, Algeria, it is unclear why the hijab is still as contentious as it is today.  In this era of globalization and population displacement, hanging on to the ideology of colonization seems ridiculous.  The French’s obsession with Muslim women removing their hijabs stems from the “exotic and mysterious Muslim woman” – an image that the French themselves created from their own fantasies.

Ironically, the consequences of banning the hijab in certain public spaces in France outweighs any gains that the French government may acquire.  If Muslim women who wear the hijab are also French citizens, then the French Republican ideology of equality and sameness for all is just a sham.  If the other religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism do not call for such a visible form of adherence, that is no fault of the Islamic religion.  Also, if the French feel that they are freeing or saving Muslim women, then they are mistaken.  Since the French believe that Muslims follow a patriarchal hierarchy, then insulting the Muslim women by insisting that they remove their hijabs will not go over well with their male relatives.  Mostly likely, the Muslim men will become even more protective of their female relatives. In a nutshell, banning the hijab will backfire and reflect negatively on the French government and its supporters.  It will also continue to marginalize the very population that they are trying to integrate into French society and therefore, back to square one.

Reference

Scott, Joan Wallach, The politics of the veil.  Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press (2007).