The Islamic Foreign Policy

Table of Contents

Russia, Iran Sanctions

BRICS & OIC & African Union Summit

Multilateralism refers to the practice of coordinating national policies in groups of three or more states, through ad hoc arrangements or by means of institutions.

It seems like you might be referring to “multilateralism,” which is a term used in international relations. Multilateralism refers to the practice of coordinating national policies in groups of three or more states, through ad hoc arrangements or by means of institutions. This approach is often contrasted with unilateralism, where a single state acts independently, or bilateralism, which involves agreements or interactions between two states.

Multilateralism is characterized by principles of diffuse reciprocity and a system of dispute resolution intended to enforce a particular mode of behavior. It is often seen in the context of international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and others, where multiple countries come together to address issues that transcend national boundaries, such as climate change, trade, security, and human rights.

The concept emphasizes the importance of international norms and laws, and the idea that global challenges are best addressed through collective action and cooperation among nations. Multilateralism has been a cornerstone of international relations since the end of World War II, particularly with the establishment of the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions.

Always unity is mentioned in Quran with power

Allah refers to us as the believers or the ummah, not individuals. Fiqh also

The OIC member states are dependent on non-muslim states.

Khilafah requires territory and there is no land on earth that does not belong to a nation state. So, khilafah will first have to replace a nation state, before growing further. And may even be known by the name of the nation state until it expands.

We need an Islamic Values based international organization that will unite with any nation willing to live by those values.

We know what we don’t want, but we don’t know what we want

Muslims are Islam’s worsts enemies.

The Hague Group

Shared foreign policy

Parasitic relationship with the West

Winning the game

Don’t play the game.

The game is rigged to the side of the rich.

You need to ally with other poor players, in order to win.

You need to be very compassionate and love each other.

China’s system

It’s a political economy model.
Political Centralization
Extreme Economic Decentralization
Top level decisions are implemented all over China.
Americans choose Freedom over Security.
The rest of the world choose Security over Freedom.

Aristotle – How Oligarchs fall

Gradual change is often more effective, than violent revolt.

Degradation makes a regime vulnerable

Monarchy – Self-Interest vs long-term goods

Democracy – Desires of the Masses vs long-term goods

Aristoracy – Oligarchy / Greed vs Merit & Virtue

Support of the people – Resistance, Rebellion, Assassination

Weaknesses in a system

Certain actions work at certain times.

Oligarchy – How wealth become political power

Indirectly shape tax policies, market rules and regulations, until their advantages become self-reinforcing.

Wealth buy influence, and influence accumulates more wealth.

Each change appears small and reasonable in isolation.

In total, it becomes an architecture of power.

They do it for people, creating jobs, think of the children.

Eventually, they stop justifying their privileges.

Public institutions, their private toolset.

Resources, their personal piggy bank.

Public concerns, barely worth acknowledging.

Ruthlessly eliminating critics, crushing descent, become more controller.

Harsh policies, alienate potential allies.

Visible excesses create silent resentment.

Internal rivalries fracture there unity.

Lose touch with reality.

Lose critical feedback.

They don’t become weak, but the become brittle.

It’s about recognizing opportunities when a system enters a vulnerabile phases.

Timing often matters more than strength.

Public dissatisfaction can be managed, and helps to release pent up steam.

The real danger comes when the people stop believing that the government serves it’s best interests, the good life and the virtue of it’s citizens.

Is the whole system serving it’s purpose?

3 ways

Wealthy treating common things as their own.
When public space become effectively private.
When share infrastructure serve only elite interests.
When common goods like water, airwaves and networks belong to the political class.

Laws start being ignored by them
They impose austerity while living in luxury.
They praise competition, until they need to crush rivals.
They talk about innovation, while blocking new ideas that would threaten their position.

When they become disconnected from the virtues and values they are supposed to exemplify.
They impose radical reforms, while being insulated from these changes.
The gap is not only economic, but moral and cultural.
It becomes a legitimacy crisis.

They fall not from without, but from within.

Internal division and disputes
When oligarchs start fighting over market regulation or resource control.
They create opening they would never allow if united.

Emergence of new leaders and voices

Entrepreneurs who have built independent economic power.
Respected professionals who have stayed away from factional disputes.

Leaders representing thee middle class

Change must involve the middle class. Those that have enough to be independent, but not enough to be corrupted by luxury.
Ability to combine virtue with practical wisdom.
They understand what is good and what is possible. What is needed for meaningful change.

Building Parallel systems, rather than confronting the existing one

Build alternative sources of power.
Creating independent trade networks.
Developing new technologies.
Establishing culturing institutions that operate outside traditional power structures.

Effective transformations happen when different people find common cause

Tech innovators
Traditional business
Middle class citizens

Understand and exploit system weaknesses

When they break their own stated principles, they create legitimacy gaps and behavior discrepancies.
Matching your response to their specific contradictions.
When they compromise courts, use dispute resolution systems.
Document cases of unearned privilege.
When they preach free-markets, but practice monopoly, rally the national coalition of small business owners.
Not only challenge their power, but a better way forward.
Each move creates new vulnerabilities, new contradictions, new points of leverage.

Develop political virtue

It’s not just about personal morality, it’s about building the capcity for effective action.
Oligarchies weakness often lies in it’s inability to generate genuine loyalty or collective purpose.
They rule through power, ratheer than legitimate authority.
Create genuine communities of interest and purpose.

Cultivate strategic patience

Oligarchies often appear strongest, just before they begin to crack.
Their effort to maintain absolute control, create conditions for their own transformation.

Key Differences

Aspect	Proxy State	Satellite State
Sovereignty	Retains significant independence.	Limited sovereignty, heavily influenced.
Role	Acts on behalf of the dominant power in conflicts.	Aligns with the dominant power’s policies.
Control	Indirect influence and support.	Direct political and military control.
Examples	South Vietnam (US-backed), Syrian regime (Iran-backed).	Eastern Europe (Soviet-backed during Cold War).

Eurasia as the Center of Global Power:
- Brzezinski argues that Eurasia (Europe and Asia combined) is the world’s most important geopolitical region due to its vast resources, population, and economic potential.
- Control or influence over Eurasia is seen as crucial for maintaining global dominance.
American Primacy:
- The book emphasizes the importance of maintaining U.S. primacy (dominance) in world affairs to ensure global stability and prevent the rise of rival powers.
- Brzezinski warns that the U.S. must actively engage in Eurasian geopolitics to prevent the emergence of a hostile hegemon.
Geostrategic Players:
- Brzezinski identifies key players in Eurasia whose actions could shape the global balance of power:
  - Russia: A weakened but still significant power with vast territory and resources.
  - China: A rising power with the potential to challenge U.S. dominance.
  - Europe: A potential partner for the U.S. but also a region that could pursue its own strategic interests.
  - Middle East and Central Asia: Critical due to their energy resources and strategic location.
The Grand Chessboard Metaphor:
- Brzezinski uses the metaphor of a chessboard to describe the geopolitical competition in Eurasia.
- The U.S. is the principal player, and its goal is to prevent any single power from dominating the region.
Strategies for U.S. Dominance:
- Preventing Alliances Against the U.S.: The U.S. must ensure that no coalition of Eurasian powers forms to challenge its dominance.
- Balancing Power: The U.S. should act as a balancer, supporting weaker states to counter stronger ones.
- Engagement and Expansion: The U.S. should expand its influence through NATO, partnerships, and economic ties.
Key Regions and Flashpoints:
- Europe: The U.S. should support European integration (e.g., the EU) while ensuring it remains aligned with American interests.
- Russia: The U.S. should prevent Russia from reasserting control over former Soviet states.
- China: The U.S. must engage China economically while containing its geopolitical ambitions.
- Middle East and Central Asia: Control over energy resources and strategic locations is vital.
The Role of Democracy and Values:
- Brzezinski argues that promoting democracy and human rights can serve U.S. interests by creating stable, friendly regimes.
- However, he also acknowledges that realpolitik (practical geopolitics) often takes precedence over idealism.
Potential Challenges:
- The rise of China as a global power.
- The resurgence of Russia under assertive leadership.
- The instability of the Middle East and its impact on global energy markets.

Establishing Justice in your Community