Josie Appleton (Institute of Ideas)
When wars of religion ended, wars of culture took over.  Islamism began with people leaving Europe to go to Afghanistan or Bosnia. Jihad was how Bedouin tribes came together to defend community or expand empire. Al Qaeeda then declared war on US colossus but chain of command, objective focussed cf ISIS – have a go, anti-Western, narcissistic.
Jihad is used meaninglessly. Islamism is now detached from ideology, community, family. Esp salifism. Jihadi is a marker, a badge, to be put on and taken off like joining a club. Similarly burqa, Arabic phrases. The motivation is perceived humiliation and vengeance eg Charlie Hebdo. Similar to other “rights” focussed movements, ideology is subsumed to combatting shame, not maintaining dignity.