In Useful Enemies, David Keen challenges the widely held notion that the chief objective of war is winning.
He examines scenarios in which the actors involved have a vested interest in seeing the fighting continue indefinitely, pointing to examples including Sri Lanka, Sudan, Colombia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.
Keen, a professor of complex emergencies at the London School of Economics, writes: “Powerful state and insurgency actors often are more interested in reaping the economic and political benefits of a conflict than in bringing it to a close.”
This, he says, can take the form of looting, graft, extortion and sexual opportunities.
Other motivations include a desire for control of resource-rich areas; dependence on humanitarian aid, which a country is likely to receive when it is ravaged by conflict; and politicians trying to strengthen their powerbase by defining their opponents as enemies.
This eye-opening book will change the way you look at conflicts and the humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating their impact on civilians.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
