Gangster Goldy Brar, the mastermind behind the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, was declared a designated terrorist by the Centre under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on Monday (January 1 2024).

Amendments introduced in 2019 brought in provisions by which the Centre can declare individuals — not only organisations — as designated terrorists. Here is how this works.

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is an Indian law that was enacted in 1967 to effectively prevent unlawful activities that pose a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

Key highlights of the UAPA

• Objective: The primary objective of the UAPA is to provide law enforcement agencies with effective tools to combat terrorism and other activities that threaten the security of the nation.
• Definition of Unlawful Activities: The act defines unlawful activities to include actions that intend to or support the cession of a part of the territory of India or disrupt the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
• Powers of Designation: The government has the authority to designate an organization as a terrorist organization if it believes that such an organization is involved in terrorism. This designation has significant legal consequences, including the freezing of assets.
• Powers of Arrest and Detention: The UAPA provides law enforcement agencies with powers of arrest and detention to prevent individuals from engaging in unlawful activities. The act allows for preventive detention to curb potential threats before they materialise.
• Banning of Terrorist Organizations: The government can proscribe organizations as terrorist organizations, making their activities illegal. This includes banning these organisations, freezing their assets, and taking other measures to curb their operations.
• Admissibility of Confessions: The UAPA allows for confessions made to police officers to be admissible in court, subject to certain safeguards. This provision has been a point of contention, with concerns about potential misuse and coercion.
• Designation of Individuals as Terrorists: In addition to organizations, the UAPA allows the government to designate individuals as terrorists. This designation carries legal consequences, including restrictions on travel and freezing of assets.
• Amendments and Stringency: Over the years, the UAPA has undergone several amendments to strengthen its provisions and make it more effective in dealing with emerging threats. However, these amendments have also been criticized for potential violations of civil liberties.
• International Cooperation: The UAPA allows for cooperation with foreign countries in matters related to the prevention of unlawful activities. This includes extradition of individuals involved in such activities.

3. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Human Rights

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and human rights lie in the impact the act can have on various fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India and international human rights standards.

The key points connecting the UAPA and human rights:

• The UAPA allows for preventive detention, which means individuals can be detained without formal charges based on suspicions of involvement in unlawful activities. This raises concerns about the right to liberty, as individuals may be deprived of their freedom without the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
• The admissibility of confessions made to police officers under the UAPA raises issues related to the right against self-incrimination. There is a risk that such confessions might be obtained under duress or coercion, compromising the fairness of legal proceedings.
• Designating individuals as terrorists and proscribing organizations without due process may impinge on the right to a fair trial. This includes the right to be informed of charges, the right to legal representation, and the right to present a defense.
• The UAPA provides authorities with the power to proscribe organizations as terrorist organizations, limiting their activities. Critics argue that this may infringe upon the right to freedom of association, particularly when such designations are made without sufficient evidence or proper legal procedures.
• The potential for misuse of the UAPA to target individuals or organizations critical of the government raises concerns about freedom of expression. If the act is used to suppress dissent or stifle legitimate political or social activities, it can undermine this fundamental right.
• The UAPA grants authorities the power to intercept communications and conduct surveillance on individuals suspected of engaging in unlawful activities. This raises concerns about the right to privacy, as individuals may be subjected to intrusive surveillance without adequate safeguards.
• Human rights standards require that any restrictions on rights, such as those imposed by the UAPA, must be proportionate and necessary for achieving a legitimate aim. Critics argue that the broad scope of the UAPA may lead to disproportionate measures that unduly restrict individual rights.
• The UAPA's compatibility with international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), is a critical point of consideration. Ensuring that the act aligns with these standards is essential to upholding human rights principles.

4. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Article 22 of the Constitution

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Article 22 of the Indian Constitution lie in how the UAPA's provisions for arrest and detention intersect with the constitutional safeguards provided under Article 22. 

• Article 22 provides certain protections to individuals who are arrested or detained. It outlines the rights of arrested individuals, emphasizing safeguards to prevent arbitrary or unlawful detention.
• Article 22(1) states that every person who is arrested and detained shall be informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest. This provision ensures that individuals are aware of the reasons behind their arrest, preventing arbitrary or secret detentions.
• Article 22(1) also guarantees the right of an arrested person to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice. This ensures that individuals have access to legal assistance during the legal process, contributing to a fair and just legal system.
• The UAPA includes provisions for preventive detention, allowing authorities to detain individuals to prevent them from committing certain offences. However, Article 22(4) allows preventive detention only under specific circumstances, and certain safeguards must be followed, such as providing the detenu with the grounds for detention and an opportunity to make a representation against the detention.
• Article 22(4) further mandates that a person detained under a law providing for preventive detention must be afforded the earliest opportunity to make a representation against the detention. Additionally, the case of every person detained is required to be placed before an advisory board within three months.
• The UAPA allows for confessions made to police officers to be admissible in court, subject to certain safeguards. However, this provision has been a point of concern concerning Article 22, as confessions obtained under duress or coercion may violate the right against self-incrimination.
• Article 22(2) ensures the right to be brought before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey. This provision aims to prevent prolonged detention without judicial oversight and contributes to the right to a speedy trial.

Source: The Indian Express

SUPREME COURT LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE (SCLSC)

• The formation of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, as mandated by Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, aims to offer legal assistance to the disadvantaged sectors of society within matters falling under the jurisdiction of the highest court. As per Section 3A, the Central Authority, represented by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), is responsible for establishing this committee.
• Its composition includes a presiding Supreme Court judge as the chairperson and other members possessing qualifications and expertise specified by the governing body. Both the chairperson and other members are appointed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who also holds the authority to designate the Committee's Secretary

• The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) comprises Chairperson BR Gavai and nine individuals chosen by the CJI.
• Additionally, the Committee holds the authority to hire personnel and staff members as outlined by the central guidelines, following discussions with the CJI.
• Moreover, Rule 10 of the NALSA Rules from 1995 specifies the quantity, expertise, and credentials expected of SCLSC members.
• As outlined in Section 27 of the 1987 Act, the central government is authorized to establish regulations, through notification and in consultation with the CJI, to enforce the provisions of the Act

4.What the Legal Services Authorities Act says?

• The Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987 was introduced to establish a legal foundation for legal aid programs. Its primary goal is to offer competent and cost-free legal services to various eligible segments of society, encompassing women, children, SC/ST and EWS categories, industrial laborers, individuals with disabilities, among others.
• This Act led to the formation of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in 1995, tasked with overseeing the execution of legal aid initiatives, setting guidelines for accessible legal services, and creating a nationwide framework for dispensing legal aid and support.
• NALSA also allocates funds and grants to State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the implementation of legal aid programs. Consequently, State Legal Services Authorities were established in each state to execute NALSA's policies, deliver free legal services, and conduct Lok Adalats.
• These authorities, led by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, have the senior High Court judge as their Executive Chairman, with the HC Chief Justice serving as the chief patron of the SLSA and the CJI as the chief patron of NALSA.
• Furthermore, District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and Taluk Legal Services Committees were instituted in districts and most taluks, respectively.
• Positioned within the District Courts Complex in each district, DLSAs are overseen by the District Judge. Taluk or Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committees, headed by a senior civil judge, were established in most taluks.
• Together, these entities organize legal awareness programs, furnish free legal services, facilitate the acquisition and issuance of certified order copies and other legal documents, among other duties

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

 

 

 

 

1. Context

 

A revolutionary discovery published in Nature has pushed back the timeline of oxygenic photosynthesis, the process that transformed Earth's atmosphere and paved the way for complex life. Scientists have identified fossilised photosynthetic structures within 1.75-billion-year-old microfossils, offering direct evidence of this crucial biological innovation's early existence.

 

2. Key Findings

 

• These structures, known as thylakoids, are membrane-bound compartments within chloroplasts where sunlight fuels the conversion of water and carbon dioxide into glucose and, critically, oxygen.
• Their presence in these ancient microfossils, presumed to be cyanobacteria, suggests that oxygenic photosynthesis may have evolved before the transformative Great Oxidation Event around 2.4 billion years ago.
• The discovery doesn't definitively resolve the debate on whether photosynthesis predated or followed the Great Oxidation Event.
• However, it provides a crucial stepping stone in understanding the timeline and potential factors contributing to this pivotal event.
• Further analyses of older microfossils could shed light on this question and reveal whether the evolution of thylakoids played a role in Earth's oxygenation.
• The study emphasises the importance of ultrastructural analyses in paleobiology. Similar investigations on exceptionally preserved microfossils hold the potential to expand the fossil record of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms and reconstruct the early ecosystems in which complex life emerged.

 

 

3. Photosynthesis

 

Photosynthesis is a fundamental biological process that enables plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy. This transformative process plays a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth by producing oxygen and providing a primary source of organic compounds. Here's a comprehensive overview of photosynthesis, encompassing its mechanisms, stages, and significance.

3.1. Mechanism of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where specialized structures called chlorophyll molecules capture light energy. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:

6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂

This equation represents the conversion of six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and six molecules of water (H₂O) using light energy into a molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and six molecules of oxygen (O₂).

 

3.2. Stages of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis can be divided into two main stages: the light-dependent reactions (light reactions) and the light-independent reactions (Calvin Cycle or dark reactions).

a. Light-Dependent Reactions

1. Light Absorption: Chlorophyll molecules in the thylakoid membranes absorb light energy.
2. Water Splitting: Water molecules are split into oxygen, protons, and electrons. Oxygen is released as a byproduct.
3. Electron Transport Chain: Electrons move through a series of proteins in the thylakoid membrane, generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

b. Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

1. Carbon Fixation: Carbon dioxide is incorporated into a five-carbon sugar molecule (ribulose bisphosphate) with the help of an enzyme, RuBisCO.
2. Reduction Phase: ATP and NADPH generated in the light-dependent reactions are used to convert the five-carbon molecule into a three-carbon sugar (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate).
3. Regeneration of RuBisCO: Some molecules continue in the cycle, while others regenerate the initial five-carbon molecule to ensure the continuous functioning of the Calvin Cycle.

3.3. Significance of Photosynthesis

 

• Oxygen Production: Photosynthesis is the primary source of atmospheric oxygen. During the light-dependent reactions, oxygen is released as a byproduct when water molecules are split.
• Organic Compound Synthesis: The process produces organic compounds, primarily glucose, which serves as an energy source for plants and other organisms in the food chain.
• Carbon Dioxide Utilization: Photosynthesis plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by fixing CO₂ into organic molecules.
• Energy Transfer: The stored energy in glucose is used by plants for various metabolic activities. Additionally, it serves as an energy source for herbivores and, subsequently, carnivores in the food chain.

 

3.4. Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

Several factors influence the rate of photosynthesis:

• Light Intensity: Higher light intensity generally increases the rate.
• Carbon Dioxide Concentration: Adequate CO₂ is essential for efficient photosynthesis.
• Temperature: Moderate temperatures are optimal; extreme temperatures can hinder the process.

 

4. The Way Forward

 

Understanding the evolution and intricacies of photosynthesis not only illuminates Earth's past but also holds implications for addressing current global challenges. As we delve into the secrets of ancient microbial structures, we gain insights into the green revolution that shaped our planet's history and laid the foundation for the diverse biosphere we inhabit today.

 

 

For Prelims: Photosynthesis, Oxygen, Carbon dioxide For Mains:  1. Explain the mechanisms and stages of photosynthesis, highlighting the importance of light-dependent and light-independent reactions. (250 words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis? (UPSC 2014)  A. Potential energy is released to form free energy B. Free energy is converted into potential energy and stored C. Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water D. Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapour are given out     2. Who discovered oxygen?  (Soldier GD 2021) A. Macmillan     B. Marconi        C. Joseph Priestley        D. None of these     3. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018) 1. The Earth's magnetic field has reversed every few hundred thousand years. 2. When the Earth was created more than 4000 million years ago, there was 54% oxygen and no carbon dioxide. 3. When living organisms originated, they modified the early atmosphere of the Earth. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  A. 1 only     B. 2 and 3 only       C. 1 and 3 only       D. 1, 2 and 3     4. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs (UPSC 2012) A. the water vapour of the air and retains its heat B. the ultraviolet part of the solar radiation C. all the solar radiations D. the infrared part of the solar radiation     5. Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of (UPSC 2011) 1. its escape into the outer stratosphere. 2. the photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans. 3. the trapping of air in the polar ice caps. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  A. 1 and 2        B. 2 only          C. 2 and 3        D. 3 only   Answers:1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-D, 5- B

 

 

Source: The Hindu

 

ISLAMIC STATE (IS) AND IRAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Context

 

 

The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the bombing attacks during a memorial event in Kerman for Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian General killed by the U.S. in January 2020. Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force, an elite wing of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was a sworn enemy of the Islamic State during his lifetime. The Kerman bombing, resulting in at least 84 deaths and over 200 injuries, marks the third major attack claimed by the Islamic State in Iran, underscoring the increasing terrorism threat faced by Tehran. This incident coincides with heightened concerns about a potential regional conflict involving Israel and Iran in West Asia.

 

 

2. About Islamic State (IS)

 

The Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), is a jihadist extremist group that emerged in the early 2000s. The organization gained global attention for its rapid territorial expansion, brutal tactics, and efforts to establish a self-proclaimed Islamic caliphate.

Key Characteristics and Ideology

• Jihadist Salafism: IS adheres to an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam, specifically following a jihadist Salafist ideology. It seeks to establish a caliphate governed by its interpretation of Islamic law, with a vision of uniting all Muslims under its leadership.
• Caliphate Declaration: In 2014, IS declared the establishment of a caliphate, designating its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as the caliph. This move aimed to assert its authority over Muslims worldwide.

Territorial Expansion

• Iraq and Syria: IS gained significant ground in Iraq and Syria in 2014, capturing major cities like Mosul. Its swift territorial expansion alarmed the international community.
• Loss of Territories: A coalition of international forces, including the Iraqi military, Kurdish forces, and the U.S.-led coalition, conducted military operations to push IS out of its strongholds. By 2019, IS had lost most of its territorial control in Iraq and Syria.

Tactics and Atrocities

• Violence and Brutality: IS is infamous for its brutal tactics, including mass executions, beheadings, and public displays of violence. Its propaganda videos showcasing these acts aimed to instil fear and attract recruits.
• Persecution of Minorities: IS targeted religious and ethnic minorities, particularly Yazidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims. Mass killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence were perpetrated against these communities.

Global Threat

• International Recruitment: IS attracted fighters from various countries, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. The group's sophisticated online propaganda played a significant role in recruitment efforts.
• Terrorist Attacks: IS claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks globally, including those in Paris, Brussels, and several attacks in the Middle East. These attacks demonstrated the group's global reach and the threat it posed beyond its territorial base.
• Current Status: While IS has lost much of its territorial control, it continues to pose a threat as an insurgency and through its affiliates in various regions. The group remains a security concern, with ongoing efforts by international coalitions to counter its activities.

 

 

3. The difference between Sunnia's and Shiyas

 

 

The division between Shias and Sunnis within Islam is rooted in historical events and differences in their interpretation of Islam. While both groups share fundamental beliefs and practices, there are notable distinctions in their understanding of religious leadership, rituals, and certain theological aspects. It's essential to recognize that the following overview simplifies a complex and nuanced history.

 

 

Features	Sunni	Shia
Historical Background	Emerged after Prophet Muhammad's death in the 7th century. Emphasizes caliphate as political and religious authority.	Emerged after Prophet Muhammad's death. Emphasizes direct bloodline connection to Prophet Muhammad and supports Imams. Rejects legitimacy of early caliphs.
Leadership and Authority	Recognizes the "Rightly Guided Caliphs" (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali) as legitimate leaders. Leadership is community-based with no formal clerical hierarchy.	Believes in the Twelve Imams, starting with Ali, as rightful successors. Grand Ayatollah is the supreme religious authority in Twelver Shia Islam.
Rituals and Practices	Follows Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, or Hanbali schools of jurisprudence. Agreement on fundamentals but variations in rituals and interpretations.	Follows Jafari school of jurisprudence. Has distinct rituals, such as commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain during Muharram.
Theological Differences	Shares fundamental theological beliefs with variations in understanding certain concepts.	Emphasizes "Imamate" and believes in the infallibility of Imams with spiritual and moral authority.
Religious Practices	Prays with hands folded. Call to prayer is simpler. May have a mosque-based organizational structure.	Prays with hands at their sides. Call to prayer is more melodic. May have distinct community structures centered around Husseiniyas.
Majority and Distribution	Majority globally, significant presence in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and others.	Minority globally, significant populations in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, and parts of Pakistan.
Unity and Diversity	Emphasizes unity within the broader Muslim community. Recognizes diversity in legal interpretations.	Places a strong emphasis on community and identity, particularly during religious commemorations.

 

 

 

4. Motivations Behind ISIS Targeting Iran

 

The Islamic State (IS) has strategically targeted Iran for multifaceted reasons, rooted in ideological rivalry and geopolitical considerations.

• Ideological Rivalry: The IS, a Sunni Salafi-Jihadist group, perceives Iran, a Shia theocracy, as both an ideological adversary and a battlefield enemy. The group is infamous for its sectarian violence against Shias, whom they derogatorily term as "Rafidha" or rejectionists. According to Sunni extremists, Shias have purportedly rejected the first three Caliphs of Islam, leading the IS to view them as apostates practising idolatry.
• Sectarian Violence: The IS's hostility towards Shias extends beyond ideological differences. In territories under IS control, such as Iraq and Syria from 2014 to 2018, Shias faced systemic persecution and violence. Even after losing control of these areas, the IS continued its attacks on Shia minorities, notably the Hazara Shia community in eastern Afghanistan.
• Battlefield Competition: Iran-backed militias played a pivotal role in the defeat of the IS in various regions, particularly in Syria and Iraq. This military setback intensified the IS's perception of Iran as a formidable adversary on the battlefield. In a propaganda video released in March 2017, the IS's Iraq-based unit, Wilayat Diyala, called for Iranian Sunnis to declare allegiance to the so-called "Caliphate" and rise against the Iranian regime.
• Geopolitical Ambitions: The IS aims to expand its sphere of influence beyond Afghanistan to neighbouring territories, particularly Iran. This ambition is evident in the group's propaganda efforts targeting Persian speakers. In three months following the release of a Farsi propaganda video, the IS carried out a coordinated attack on Iran's Parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, symbolically declaring war on the Islamic Republic.

 

5. Iran's Perspective on the Islamic State (IS)

 

Iran perceives the Islamic State (IS) as a significant threat with both ideological and immediate security implications.

• Reviving Historical Conflicts: Iran views the IS as attempting to reignite the historical Sunni-Shia conflict from the early years of Islam. The group's anti-Shia propaganda and violence aim to fuel sectarian tensions among hardline Sunnis, potentially triggering a broader war that targets Shia communities in Sunni-majority countries and Iran itself.
• Immediate Security Threat: Recognizing the IS as an immediate security hazard, Iran took swift action when the group began gaining territories. Iran was the first country to provide aid to Baghdad, dispatching Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units to protect key areas, including Baghdad, Najaf, and Karbala, in response to the IS's capture of Mosul in June 2014.
• Early Military Response: Even before the Western-backed counter-attack, Iran initiated air strikes on IS-held areas in Iraq by December 2014. Iran's state organs consistently labelled the IS as a "terrorist organization" or "Taqfiris," emphasizing the group's excommunication of fellow Muslims and its reliance on violence against them.
• Medium-Term Strategy: In the medium term, Iran developed a strategy to combat the IS through Shia mobilization units. These militias were recruited, trained, and deployed to Syria, supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime in its civil war against various rebel and jihadist groups, including al-Qaeda and the IS. In Iraq, Shia militias collaborated with the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, backed by American air cover, playing a crucial role in liberating Iraqi cities from IS control.
• Role of Qassem Soleimani: Major General Qassem Soleimani played a pivotal role in orchestrating and leading anti-IS operations, contributing significantly to the defeat of the IS's physical structures and the liberation of Iraqi territories from jihadist control.

 

6. About Qassem Soleimani

 

• Qassem Soleimani, a veteran of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, ascended to the role of commander of the Quds Force, the foreign operational wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in 1998.
• Throughout his career, Soleimani staunchly defended the Islamic Revolution and played a pivotal role in shaping Iran's forward defence doctrine. This doctrine aimed to bolster regional strength by fostering alliances with Shia militia groups across West Asia.
• Soleimani was instrumental in the creation of Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia movement, in the 1980s, and maintained strong ties with Iraqi Shia organizations during Saddam Hussein's regime.
• In recent years, Iran expanded its connections to include Yemen's Shia rebels, the Houthis, as well as Palestinian Sunni militant groups like Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, which resist Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
• Heading the IRGC's foreign operations, Soleimani cultivated deep relationships with these groups, facilitating the formation of an anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition when Iraq and Syria plunged into chaos in the 2010s.
• Despite U.S. support for this Shia coalition against the IS in Iraq, Soleimani faced accusations of supporting terrorism due to his close ties with foreign Shia militias.
• Within Iran, Soleimani attained a cult status, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader and armed forces commander, referred to him as "the living martyr of revolution."
• However, on January 3, 2020, President Donald Trump ordered a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, assassinating Soleimani, the primary adversary of the IS.
• On the fourth anniversary of his assassination, the IS targeted a memorial event near his qabar (grave) in Kerman.

 

7. Implications of the Kerman Bombings for Iran

 

• The Kerman bombings, marking the most severe terrorist attack in the history of the Islamic Republic, reveal significant security vulnerabilities within Iran. This incident underscores the expanding capabilities of the Islamic State (IS) and highlights Iran's growing internal security challenges. Historically seen as a fortress against external threats, Iran now faces a dual challenge of addressing traditional external security concerns and countering a rising internal security threat.
• The timing of the attack coincides with heightened regional pressure on Iran, especially amid the Israel-Gaza war extending beyond Gaza's borders. While Arab countries opted for diplomatic measures in response to Israel's actions, Iran-backed groups, such as Hezbollah, engaged Israeli troops on Lebanon's southern border, and Shia militias in Iraq targeted U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. Additionally, Yemen's Houthis attacked commercial vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, turning the Red Sea into a conflict zone.
• Amid this regional crisis, with escalating tensions and retaliatory actions from Israel and the U.S., the IS seized the opportunity to strike Iran, its long-standing adversary. Iran now faces the dual challenge of managing traditional external security threats and confronting a relatively new yet expanding internal security menace.

 

8. The Way Forward

 

The relationship between IS and Iran is complex, involving ideological, sectarian, and geopolitical dimensions. Iran sees IS as a direct threat to its security, while IS perceives Iran as a barrier to its expansionist ambitions. The dynamics between these two entities continue to shape the broader security landscape in the Middle East.

 

For Prelims: ISIS, Iran, Iraq, Middle East For Mains:  1. Assess the ideological and geopolitical factors driving the conflict between the Islamic State (IS) and Iran. (250 words) 2. Discuss the challenges and opportunities for international cooperation in countering the threat posed by IS in the wake of its territorial losses. (250 words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions 1. What is the full form of ISIS which claimed in June, 2014 to have executed 1700 Iraqi soldiers? (UPPSC 2014) A. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Islamic B. Security for Islamic Society C. International Security of Islamic Society D. Islamic State for Iran and Saudi Arabia   2. Which of the following is NOT a member of Gulf Cooperation Council? (UPSC 2016) A.  Iran        B. Saudi Arabia         C. Oman      D. Kuwait   3. Consider the following pairs:  (UPSC 2018) Towns sometimes mentioned in news              Country 1. Aleppo                             Syria 2. Kirkuk                             Yemen 3. Mosul                             Palestine 4. Mazar-i-sharif                Afghanistan Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? A. 1 and 2        B.  1 and 4          C. 2 and 3        D.  3 and 4 4. The area known as 'Golan Heights' sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to (UPSC 2015) A. Central Asia         B. Middle East         C. South-East Asia       D. Central Africa 5. In the recently formed grouping of countries generally known as 'Middle-East Quad', in addition to India, which of the following are other members? (CDS 2022) A. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and USA B. Israel, UAE and USA C. Egypt, UAE and UK D. Israel, Saudi Arabia and UK 6. Yom Kippur War was fought between which sides/ countries? (UPSC 2008) (a) Turkey and Greece (b) Serbs and Croats (c) Israel, and Arab countries led by Egypt and Syria (d) Iran and Iraq 7. Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea? (UPSC 2015) (a) Syria (b) Jordan (c) Lebanon (d) Israel Answers: 1-A, 2-A, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-C, 7-B

 

Source: The Hindu