脅威増す世界 対「イスラム国」で結束強めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
International community must solidify its unity against ISIL
脅威増す世界　対「イスラム国」で結束強めよ

　◆米主導の秩序をどう維持するか◆

The threat of terrorism stemming from extremism is shaking the U.S.-led international order based on law and democracy.
　過激思想によるテロの脅威が、米国主導の法と民主主義に基づく国際秩序を揺さぶっている。

About 25,000 foreign fighters from over 100 countries have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an extremist group based in Syria and Iraq. There has also been a stream of so-called “homegrown terrorism,” with young people who were raised in the United States or Europe, and influenced by radical beliefs, committing violent acts within their native countries.
　シリアとイラクを拠点とする過激派組織「イスラム国」には、１００か国以上の外国人戦闘員約２万５０００人が参加する。感化された欧米の若者が自国で犯行に及ぶ「ホームグロウン・テロ」も続発している。

Terrorism is an issue that is not exclusive to such regions as the Middle East or Europe. It is a challenge that must be addressed by the whole world. The international community must stand together, with the United States taking the lead, to continue fighting a protracted battle.
　テロはもはや中東や欧州などの地域にとどまらない。世界全体で取り組むべき課題である。米国を中心に国際社会が結束して、息の長い戦いを続けねばならない。

President must lead
　◆次期大統領は指導力を

In the November U.S. presidential election, major points of contention will include Washington’s measures to fight the ISIL, its policy on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and its rebalancing to Asia policy. We hope in-depth discussions will be conducted through the election campaigns in a direction that will encourage the United States to take a more leading role.
　１１月の米大統領選では、「イスラム国」対策をはじめ、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）、「アジア重視」政策などが主要な争点になる。選挙戦を通じて、米国がより指導的な役割を果たす方向で議論が深まることを期待したい。

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, has emphasized that “if the United States does not lead, there is not another leader, there is a vacuum and we have to lead.” Her remarks likely express her desire for more U.S. involvement on the diplomatic front.
　民主党の候補争いでトップを走るヒラリー・クリントン前国務長官は、「米国以外にリーダーはいない。米国が主導しなければ、力の空白が生まれる」と強調している。外交面で米国の関与を拡大する意欲の表れだろう。

If the United States falls into isolationism, there will be a power vacuum in various parts of the world, as Clinton has asserted, and turmoil will spread around the globe.
　米国が孤立主義に陥れば、クリントン氏の主張する通り、世界各地で「力の空白」が生じ、混乱が広がるだけである。

It is a matter of concern that Donald Trump, a real estate giant who aims to win the Republican presidential nomination, has been gaining popularity with his extreme remarks, including a call for banning all Muslims from entering the United States.
　懸念されるのは、共和党の大統領候補指名を目指す不動産王ドナルド・トランプ氏が、イスラム教徒の入国禁止案など極端な発言で人気を集めていることだ。

Trump may run out of steam as the presidential race gets into full swing. But the fact that he has so far retained strong support, despite his extreme remarks, may indicate U.S. citizens’ dissatisfaction with the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama.
　選挙戦の本格化に伴い、トランプ氏が失速する可能性はある。それでも、根強い支持を保ってきたところに、国民のオバマ政権への不満が見てとれる。

From the bitter lessons learned from the fatalities of U.S. soldiers and increased anti-American sentiment due to the Iraq war, Obama has maintained a policy of not sending large numbers of ground combat troops to areas of conflict. We can understand his belief that long-lasting stability cannot be built in the Middle East just through the power of U.S. forces.
　オバマ大統領は、イラク戦争後の米兵の犠牲や反米感情の増大に苦しんだ教訓から、紛争地に大規模な地上戦闘部隊を派遣しない方針を維持してきた。米軍の力だけで中東に長期的な安定は築けないという考えは理解できる。

Ease sectarian strife
　◆宗派対立緩和が不可欠

Yet his administration’s measures for wiping out the ISIL have been one step behind. It is questionable that Obama has been deciding to increase U.S. airstrikes and inject special forces every time local situations deteriorate. Washington must build a solid strategy.
　だが、「イスラム国」掃討作戦では、対応は後手に回った。現地情勢が悪化するたびに、米軍の空爆拡大や特殊部隊の逐次投入を決めているのは疑問だ。確固とした戦略を構築する必要があろう。

Many countries in the Middle East have seen their turmoil deepen with civil war and sectarian struggles.
　中東の多くの国は、内戦や宗派対立で混迷を深めている。

In Syria, it is important to create an environment in which Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government and anti-regime groups reach a truce so the United States, Europe and Russia can concentrate on fighting against ISIL.
　シリアでは、アサド政権と反体制派が停戦し、米欧露が「イスラム国」との戦いに集中できる環境を作り出すことが肝要である。

The international agreement that established a road map for a truce and a transition of power should be steadily implemented.
停戦と政権移行の行程を定めた国際合意を着実に履行すべきだ。

ISIL is nothing but a terrorist organization that has borrowed the name of a religion. Decisive action must be taken against its propaganda war, which fans the flames of hatred against Western society through the Internet. ISIL cannot be eradicated without the support of moderate Muslims for the United States and Europe.
　「イスラム国」は、宗教に名を借りたテロ集団にほかならない。インターネットを通じて米欧社会への憎悪を煽あおる宣伝戦には断固とした対処が求められる。穏健なイスラム教徒が米欧に協力する構図にしなければ、撲滅できまい。

Iraq, Libya and Yemen share the same problem with Syria — the absence of a government that can control a whole country and unite various religious and ethnic groups allows the emergence of radicals. The international community must help change these situations with diplomatic arbitrations and financial support.
　イラクやリビア、イエメンも、シリアと同じ問題を抱える。全土を掌握し、多様な宗派と民族を束ねるような政権の不在が過激派の台頭を許している。国際社会は外交調停や資金支援によって後押しすることが欠かせない。

The United States and Europe will begin to lift economic sanctions against Iran as early as in January, based on their agreement with Tehran on its nuclear development. Iran has influence over Syria and other places, and should be involved in the process of stabilizing the Middle East. Countries concerned should also keep an eye on Iran so Tehran will not violate the nuclear accord.
　イランでは核開発問題に関する合意に伴い、今月にも米欧の経済制裁解除が始まる。シリア情勢などに影響力を持つイランを引き込み、中東の安定につなげたい。核合意が破られないよう、関係国が監視を続けることも大切である。

Russia is supporting the Assad government and heightening its military intervention in Syria. Russia is still at odds with Turkey, which shot down a Russian military plane.
　ロシアはアサド政権を支援し、シリアへの軍事介入を強めている。露軍機を撃墜したトルコと対立したままだ。

Moscow is increasingly making its annexation of Crimea a fait accompli, and the ceasefire agreement between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia militants in the eastern part of Ukraine is not being observed.
　ロシアのクリミア併合は既成事実化が進む。ウクライナ東部の政府軍と親露派武装勢力の停戦合意も順守されていない。

Despite economic sanctions by the United States and Europe on Russia, President Vladimir Putin maintains his tough stance. He probably aims to challenge the U.S.-led international order. His attempt to change the status quo with military power should not be tolerated any longer.
　米欧の経済制裁にもかかわらず、プーチン大統領が強硬姿勢を貫くのは、米国が主導する国際秩序に挑戦する狙いがあるからではないか。軍事力による現状変更をこのまま許してはならない。

Measures for refugees
　◆難民対応が重い課題だ

The European Union is facing a challenge. The number of refugees and immigrants flowing into that region from Africa and the Middle East has exceeded 1 million. Some of the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in Paris have disguised themselves as refugees to enter Europe.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）は試練に直面している。中東、アフリカなどから流入した難民と移民は、１００万人を超えた。パリ同時テロでは犯行グループの一部が難民に紛れて入り込んでいた。

Opposition to accepting refugees is spreading in East European and other countries. How can the EU strike a balance between its ideal of European integration and maintaining security? The refugee issue presents an enormous challenge to the EU.
　東欧を中心に、難民受け入れに対する反発が広がっている。欧州統合というＥＵの理念と治安維持をどう両立するか、重い課題が突きつけられたと言えよう。

The EU is discussing with other entities the creation of an organization to guard its borders with countries outside the EU. It is urgent for the EU to regain the public’s trust regarding security maintenance, with thorough enforcement of border controls with countries outside the region.
　ＥＵが主体となって域外との国境を警備する組織の創設が検討されている。域外国との国境管理の徹底を通じて、治安への信頼を取り戻すことが急務だ。

A huge number of refugees is expected to flow into Europe this year as well, so the support of the international community in that regard is essential. Japan should keep making contributions such as humanitarian assistance to Europe.
　欧州には、今年も難民の大量流入が予想される。国際社会全体の支援が不可欠だ。日本も人道援助などで貢献を続けたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 3, 2016)