Orders from God? The implications of ethno-religious discourse and transnational networks on group mobilization and violence

Violence in the Middle East is frequently attributed to a rapid growth in what has been termed "religious fundamentalism." At present, academics and policymakers are faced with the difficult questions of why, how and when religion becomes the basis for political mobilization and even violence. Many have argued that as globalization proceeds, ethnic and religious groups will become increasingly transnational. Others view such groups as an increasing threat not only to individual states, but to international security as a whole. Despite the present salience of such arguments, there is limited evidence that transnational ethnic and religious actors pursue more violence than other types of political opposition. Therefore, the question raised in this research is what effect do transnational networks have on overall group mobilization and political strategy? Are transnational networks significant variables in impeding or encouraging a movement's ability to engage in violence?; My research focuses on what I refer to as ethno-religious nationalism. Ethnoreligious nationalism is limited to those groups that (1) articulate national agendas through the lens of a particular religious tradition, (2) identify with "sacred" communal space often in the form of contested territory, and (3) frame political and religious goals within what I have termed "ethno-religious discourse." Although ethno-religious nationalist groups often begin in a "homeland," most nonetheless develop various types of transnational networks such as fundraising offices, recruitment centers, and other transnational structures.; I discuss partial and preliminary evidence concerning the incidence and types of violence undertaken by six ethno-religious groups over a period of ten years. These groups have varying degrees of transnational networks and are mainly located in the Middle East. Each has pursued a range of political strategies, including both violent and non-violent political expression. Finally, I examine whether individual ethno-religious groups reformulate or "reframe" their respective political narratives in the transnational setting and if so, whether there is any corresponding effect on levels of violence over time.