Russia and Europe: Together against “Daesh”?

AE and its partners! A voice from Mexico with Eldiario21
Author: Mariana Grajales
Language:  English

There are some conspiracy theories joining the current economic and oil crises throughout the world within the Islamic radical group, wherein it is believed that the great powers are putting oil in limbo as a strategy to attack and eliminate “Daesh” (name used to refer to ISIS without taking it into account as a state but as a movement or group), which sells this resource illegally in order to finance themselves, undermining international security.

In addition to the theory, I have been reading and informing about recent actions that are being taken by countries like Russia and those from the European Union in order to continue linking and analyzing the strategies that can be taken as part of the plan to defeat “Daesh” and regain strength in the international system; however, I have noticed that the strategies are not being performed together, because each country seeks its own interests using other players to reach their goal. But if we try to look it on a cold way… Is it not worthy to act this way if it manages to defeat ISIS? If someone reaches that, will it become a kind of new “hegemon”? (Meaning, to have power of leadership or importance globally).

It is believed that the government of Vladimir Putin is “cooking” a very promising strategy to become the international hero, but they plan to do so on their own.

It is estimated that the Russian government will soon reduce its oil production as a strategy to create a domino effect in which other international oil markets will perform the same. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced a few weeks ago the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States and the European Union; this meant the return of the Persian country to the global economy, benefiting them in production and sale of crude oil, causing alarm and concern to others, especially to Western oil markets. This is why Putin’s government is sending a signal to reconsider the price of the Saudi, due to its sharp drop since early December of last year, which is causing great damage to the international economy.

The Saudi production has not been recently reduced despite the big drop in prices, although recent results have shown that it has slipped below $ 30 a barrel, a figure compared with $ 100 of the cost of the same in 2014. The reasons why this happens is because of the increased oil production in the United States, joint to the concerns of lower demand due to issues facing the global economy.

However, Daniel Kawczynski, member of the International Committee of the British House of Commons said that Russia must cooperate with the United Kingdom and other Western countries to prevent the spread of “Daesh”. Meanwhile, he added that “if Russia and the West do not cooperate with the extremist group, the Caliphate will last”, which will increase the levels of economic instability, insecurity and terrorism throughout the world, especially in countries that have attacked the Islamic group. In addition, Kawczynski also based this ideas on the cooperation against the Islamic group to remember the experience of cooperation with the United Kingdom used to fight the Nazis for years, so it is important to create a military project and logistics in order to cooperate together to achieve it.

It is concerned that if Russia and NATO fail to cooperate and create a joint strategy to defeat “Daesh”, the result will undoubtedly be the caliphate; that is, the creation of a state that implements a political system based on the religious system established by Muhammad, which is very dangerous.

Both Russia and Europe should outrun any discrepancy rivalry to work together in order to be able to build the project against the notorious and dangerous extremist group. If it continues to fight individually, I doubt that the world will achieve more than just larger conflicts, attacks and bombings between the Middle East and the West, which would create a lower approach to solve it. If something is not done quickly, the caliphate could expand to Turkey and Greece, increasing the domain that they already have on Iraq, Syria and North Africa; especially in Libya.

The bilateral cooperation between Russia and the UK can also be a way to help fight the Syrian crisis, because Moscow has a greater influence on the Syrian president, Bashar Al-Assad, than any other actor belonging to the West. On the other hand, the UK would be a key player in Iran, where they could help improve relations between Tehran and Riyadh respectively. In this way, the government of Vladimir Putin could emerge as a new leader in the international system, which will also can be seen as a brave actor despite the multiple threats that “Daesh” has done against Russia and other countries around the world.

Undoubtedly, the current problems show us that the individual work does not lead to success. The great powers have been in a hard and constant struggle against the Islamic extremist group for some time and they seem to have not realized that the solution is around the phrase that says: “unity is strength”. Understandably, within a certain range, it can be taken into account that each country wants and should pursue their own interests to have a “priority seat” in the international system but I think this issue affects everyone, because it puts the welfare and safety of its citizens and their governments at risk.

The danger that represents “Daesh” is immense but it´s also a constant mystery, where both governments and institutions are waiting and fighting with strategic plans in order to find the famous “Achilles heel” in this situation. If a strong and effective community plan is not displayed soon to stop the extremist group, the attacks and the uncertainty will continue; so, dear Russia, UK, USA, Middle East countries and other territories concerned about the present and the future of the world, be unified. So be in order to finally achieve a viable and safe plan against “Daesh”. It is difficult, but not impossible; leave behind tall of your selfishness and competition because in the end, the basis of this conflict seeks that, to separate everyone more and more, so do not let them win.