The Center for Strategic and International Studies: Difference between revisions

==Focus on Islamic Issues==

CSIS has produced significant research on various aspects of Islam and Islamic extremism from its own perspective and benefits, particularly in relation to security threats posed by groups like the Islamic State (IS) and the dynamics within Muslim communities. Key areas of focus include:

CSIS has analyzed the rise of radical Islamic groups globally, including their operational tactics and ideological motivations. For instance, reports have detailed how the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) poses a persistent threat in Pakistan, capable of conducting mass-casualty attacks despite facing challenges from local militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)<ref>Palmer, Alexander, and Mackenzie Holtz. The Islamic State Threat in Pakistan: Trends and Scenarios. Aug. 2023. www.csis.org, https://www.csis.org/analysis/islamic-state-threat-pakistan-trends-and-scenarios.</ref>.

The center emphasizes that ISKP's agenda is explicitly sectarian, targeting non-Sunni Muslims and aiming to establish a transnational caliphate.

Research has highlighted concerns regarding the surveillance practices employed by intelligence agencies like CSIS towards Muslim communities in Canada. Reports indicate that many Muslims experience random questioning or visits from CSIS agents without just cause, contributing to a climate of fear and anxiety within these communities. This surveillance often leads to stigmatization and a chilling effect on political activism among Muslims, who may feel discouraged from expressing dissent due to potential repercussions<ref>Nagra, Baljit, and Paula Maurutto. “Anti-Muslim Surveillance: Canadian Muslims’ Experiences with CSIS.” Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, vol. 9, no. 3, July 2023, pp. 311–25. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1177/23326492231151587.</ref>.