Cynthia Schoch – författare

What should states do with the bodies of suicide bombers and other jihadists who die while perpetrating terrorist attacks? This original and unsettling book explores the host of ethical and political questions raised by this dilemma, from (non-)legitimization of the ''enemy'' and their cause to the non-territorial identity of individuals who identified in life with a global community of believers. Because states do not recognize suicide bombers as enemy combatants, governments must decide individually what to do with their remains. Riva Kastoryano offers a window onto this challenging predicament through the responses of the American, Spanish, British and French governments after the Al-Qaeda suicide attacks in New York, Madrid and London, and Islamic State''s attacks on Paris in 2015. Interviewing officials, religious and local leaders and jihadists'' families, both in their countries of origin and in the target nations, she has traced the terrorists'' travel history, discovering unexpected connections between their itineraries and the handling of their burials. This fascinating book reveals how states'' approaches to a seemingly practical issue are closely shaped by territory, culture, globalization and identity.

What should states do with the bodies of suicide bombers and other jihadists who die while perpetrating terrorist attacks? This original and unsettling book explores the host of ethical and political questions raised by this dilemma, from (non-)legitimization of the ''enemy'' and their cause to the non-territorial identity of individuals who identified in life with a global community of believers. Because states do not recognize suicide bombers as enemy combatants, governments must decide individually what to do with their remains. Riva Kastoryano offers a window onto this challenging predicament through the responses of the American, Spanish, British and French governments after the Al-Qaeda suicide attacks in New York, Madrid and London, and Islamic State''s attacks on Paris in 2015. Interviewing officials, religious and local leaders and jihadists'' families, both in their countries of origin and in the target nations, she has traced the terrorists'' travel history, discovering unexpected connections between their itineraries and the handling of their burials. This fascinating book reveals how states'' approaches to a seemingly practical issue are closely shaped by territory, culture, globalization and identity.

As Europe wrangles over questions of national identity, nativism and immigration, Olivier Roy interrogates the place of Christianity, foundation of Western identity. Do secularism and Islam really pose threats to the continent''s ''Christian values''? What will be the fate of Christianity in Europe? Rather than repeating the familiar narrative of decline, Roy challenges the significance of secularized Western nations'' reduction of Christianity to a purely cultural force- relegated to issues such as abortion, euthanasia and equal marriage. He illustrates that, globally, quite the opposite has occurred: Christianity is now universalized, and detached from national identity. Not only has it taken hold in the Global South, generally in a more socially conservative form than in the West, but it has also ''returned'' to Europe, following immigration from former colonies. Despite attempts within Europe to nationalize or even racialize it, Christianity''s future is global, non-European and immigrant-as the continent''s Churches well know. This short but bracing book confirms Roy''s reputation as one of the most acute observers of our times. It represents a persuasive and novel vision of religion''s place in national life today.