2026 Indexes Reveal Islamist Violence Patterns The 2026 Global Happiness Index and Global Terrorism Index have sparked renewed debate about the relationship between religion and terrorism, highlighting stark contrasts between the world’s most stable societies and regions plagued by violence. The reports challenge the notion that terrorism is religion-agnostic, revealing patterns that link Islamic extremism to the deadliest terrorist groups and the most terror-affected regions. The Global Happiness Index 2026 places Finland at the top for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. These nations consistently score high on indicators such as social trust, governance, and economic stability. In contrast, Afghanistan ranks last at 147th, underscoring the correlation between political instability and low happiness scores. Meanwhile, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 identifies countries most affected by terrorism, with nine of the top ten deadliest groups classified as Islamist. Notably, none of the top ten happiest countries are Islamic, while the most terror-affected nations include Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Syria, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, and Israel. The GTI 2026 underscores a growing trend: the dominance of Islamist groups in global terrorism. Of the top ten deadliest organizations, nine are Islamic, with the Islamic State (ISIS) remaining the most lethal despite the collapse of its territorial caliphate. Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Shabaab, and the Balochistan Liberation Army also rank highly.#tehreek_e_taliban_pakistan #global_happiness_index_2026 #global_terrorism_index_2026 #islamic_state_isis #jamaat_nusrat_al_islam_wal_muslimeen
India must enlist more support against Pakistan’s bombing of Afghanistan India condemned Pakistan’s recent airstrikes on an Afghan rehabilitation center, calling the attack “cowardly” and accusing Islamabad of covering up a “massacre.” The strikes, which killed at least 400 Afghans, targeted the Omid Rehabilitation Facility in Kabul, despite Pakistan’s denial that the facility was destroyed. The attack has intensified tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have been escalating for over a year. Pakistan’s military launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq (Righteous Fury) in February, striking Taliban bases in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. The conflict has been further fueled by attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which killed 11 soldiers and a child in Bajaur and 32 people in an Islamabad mosque following a suicide bombing. Pakistan has also expressed anger over India’s growing ties with Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of turning the country into an “Indian colony.” This marks a shift from Pakistan’s earlier support for the Taliban’s rise to power in 2021. Meanwhile, the U.S.-Israel war against Iran has diverted global attention, allowing Pakistan to act with perceived impunity. The U.S. has publicly endorsed Pakistan’s “right to defend itself against Taliban attacks,” emboldening Islamabad’s military actions. India, facing similar challenges with cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, sees potential relief from Pakistan’s dual-front pressures. However, India’s diplomatic role remains limited due to the absence of formal dialogue with Pakistan and the unrecognised Taliban regime. To prevent further escalation, India must rally support from SCO members concerned about the conflict.#pakistan #india #afghanistan #tehreek_e_taliban_pakistan #operation_ghazab_lil_haq
