Important talks are being held in the capital of Mali about ways to help this nation overcome many serious obstacles. The main focus is on the growing power of Islamist factions in northern Mali which have links with al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. This comes on top of the ongoing crisis in Libya; bloodshed in northern Nigeria; tensions between Sudan and South Sudan; conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the role of Rwanda; and in Somalia it is clear that this failed state faces many uphill struggles because of Islamist groups like the al-Shabaab (al-Shabab). Therefore, with so many delicate issues, including other sources of tensions throughout the region that haven’t been touched on; then it remains to be seen if outside nations will get involved to an important degree in Mali. The international community on the whole understands that Mali is facing many internal and external convulsions. Also, given the past record of Islamists in other parts of the world which have links with al-Qaeda; then the fear of Islamist bases being used against other nations is genuine if they have a free reign. However, if the ratlines are going to be continuously ignored alongside the policies of outside nations which have unleashed chaos in Libya, then catch up isn’t good enough. After all, it is clear that meddling in Libya enabled Islamists based throughout the region to get easy supplies of weapons. Equally important, the money channels and military sales linking the destabilization of Libya, Mali, Syria, and others, often passes through the Arabian Peninsula. Indeed, news just reaching the international community states that a huge haulage of weapons from Yemen was stopped from reaching the al-Shabaab in Somalia. Therefore, which nations, organizations, individuals and religious ideologists are spreading radical Salafi Islam alongside terrorism? Also, why are nations like the United States, France and the United Kingdom working with Islamist networks and nations with no interest in democracy when it suits them? Nobody can ignore the past policies that supported various Islamist networks in Afghanistan and how this alliance was manipulated in Libya. The same networks are now being used to destabilize Syria. Another important area is why nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf nations are being given a free reign to spread religious hatred, terrorism and indoctrination? In Syria even the CIA is admitting that Islamist terrorist networks are getting out of control. This means that you have “a relative cooling” at the moment in the corridors of Washington because the recent murders of American personnel in Libya, appears to be hitting home. Sadly, the deaths of thousands of people in Syria did not make the same impact but now greater scrutiny of Islamist ratlines in Washington is once more on the agenda. Of course, this is also part self-survival, just like after September 11, because despite the scope of the murders in Libya being much smaller in comparison, the same Washington and Islamist links are too visible during times of heightened concerns in America. Therefore, the current crisis in Mali must not only focus on the current situation because if what happened before the chaos erupted is ignored, then the same folly will continue to undermine another nation in the future. It is therefore time to turn the “Islamist terrorist switch off” because blowback, massacres, terrorism, indoctrination, persecution of women, persecution of minorities and other brutal realities always follow in the footsteps. Of course, terrorist organizations also survive by themselves and clearly you have various types of terrorist groups which are based on religion, nationalism, ideology and so forth. Yet when nations try to manipulate terrorist organizations for short-terms goals, then not only is this morally bankrupt and barbaric but it also leads to other serious issues in the long-term. In another article about Mali and Libya by Modern Tokyo Times, it was stated that “The ‘bomb democracy’ Western and Gulf policy in Libya brought on the massacres of black Africans, killing of Gaddafi loyalists and creating a “new society” based on disorder which is currently ongoing. Indeed, the chaos which is engulfing Libya is now destabilizing Northern Mali and creating problems for Tunisia. This destabilization is based on vast quantities of military hardware being available and more dangerously the Salafi ideology is spreading because of money from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.” Further down in the same article it is stated that “Turning back to Libya and Northern Mali then currently Salafists are intent on destroying all Islamic thought patterns outside of their “blinkered monoculture” which thrives on hatred and fear. Indeed, in Syria video evidence survives which makes it clear that the Western and Islamist “marriage of convenience” is now spreading this dangerous ideology within this country. Therefore, mainstream Islam and religious minorities have much to fear in Syria but like usual political leaders in London, Paris and Washington will support any form of barbarity providing it meets their geopolitical ambitions.” Recently in northern Mali and Libya many Sufi shrines have been attacked and ancient Islamic heritage is under threat. These thought patterns emanate from nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and other Gulf states. Indeed, the same happened in Somalia whereby indigenous Islam was attacked. Also, the al-Shabaab Islamists in Somalia resemble forces and thought patterns that belong to the Gulf region. Currently, the nation of Mali is facing many internal issues and the political situation is very fragile. This fact and the chaos in Libya enabled various Islamist factions to force their way into northern Mali. However, while the international community needs to help this nation; it is essential that the reason behind the chaos is focused on and the same applies to the ratlines which are supporting such an ideology. If this is neglected, then the same mistakes will continue to create carnage. At the same time, the nations, organizations and individuals behind the chaos, will have a free reign to spread their ideology to another nation in the near future if the ratlines are not cut. leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com