Lecture series returns with ‘Islamic Extremism in Africa’

Published 4:38 pm Friday, January 3, 2014

Great Decisions at the Library continues at 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Bainbridge Public Library with “Islamic Extremism in Africa.”

In some parts of Africa, issues such as poor governance, lawlessness and ill-defined borders have in recent years given Islamic terrorist groups a safe haven to wreak havoc. Many hoped the Arab Spring would help turn the tide against extremism in Africa by taking away a potential recruiting class of disillusioned Muslims who might have turned to terrorism. But in their wake came a generation of brand-new governments, inexperienced with democracy and eager to enact Islamist ideals.

The U.S. is left with a dilemma — how to encourage the fledgling democracies while quashing the dangerous radicals they harbor.

John Thorne will serve as moderator. Thorne covers North Africa and parts of the Sahel for the Christian Science Monitor from his base in Tunis, Tunisia. He’s visited much of the region since moving there in

2006 and has reported extensively on the Arab Spring and its aftermath. He grew up on Bainbridge Island and was educated at Whitman College and King’s College London. Before joining the Monitor, he wrote for the Associated Press and The National (Abu Dhabi). He speaks five foreign languages, including Arabic.

The talk is free, with donations welcome. Refreshments will be provided.