Drop double standards

In Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra is in control of the rebel groups fighting to overthrow the Syrian government, although its operatives now function under different labels after the US branded it a terrorist group. Jabhat al-Nusra, however, has not had any difficulty in coordinating its activities or in enforcing the brutal logic of Islamic extremism in the Syrian conflict, such as the recent beheading of three Christians and the forced evacuation of Christians, Druze and Shias from the areas controlled by this NATO-supported band of thugs.

Interestingly, neither the United States nor the European Union has even noticed that in Homs, al-Qusayr, Aleppo and other cities temporarily occupied by the Free Syrian Army (a camouflage for Jabhat al-Nusra), Christians, Druze and Shias have been either killed or driven out, with many of their women becoming trophies of war.

Throughout the 1990s, former US president Bill Clinton supported the extremists operating in India and Afghanistan. But for the backing given by the US, the Taliban would never have succeeded to seize power in Afghanistan in 1996. The same set of "expert advisers" who orchestrated that takeover are still present in force in think tanks, government departments and intelligence agencies in Washington, so it is little wonder that they are seeking to bring the Taliban back into the Afghanistan government. The Taliban have even been gifted a multi-million dollar building as well as SUVs and huge amounts of cash in Qatar.

Until NATO understands that terrorism is a threat in its entirety, and that it needs to be opposed everywhere rather than just in the West, the world will not be free of this scourge. It is ironical to see France, which doesn't allow Muslim women to even use veils to cover their faces, trying to push a band of extreme elements led by Jabhat al-Nusra to power in Syria through the help of the gun.

Such double standards will finally boomerang on France, for after assuming power in Damascus, the extremists will set their sights on Paris, London and other Western cities (if not to seize power then to create terror) using Syria as a base in the same way they are using Libya now.

Chinese people have come face to face with extremist terror, and understand the need to build a joint front to fight this evil. So China should join hands with its neighbors to work out a comprehensive strategy against extremist terror. The problem can be solved only if the international community ensures that terrorists don't get shelter and encouragement from anyone.

And it's high time the US-led West realized that by dancing with extremists in theaters like Syria it is placing its own people at the risk of further terrorist attacks.

The author is vice-chair of Manipal Advanced Research Group and UNESCO peace chair, and professor of geopolitics at Manipal University, India.