Isis What is ISIS? It was first formed as Al Qaeda in 2003 when the U.S. invaded Iraq. ISIS ( the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria) is one of the most successful military group, by taking control of parts of Iraq and Syria, for many years it has governed over this territory and has even declared itself a state. The group started in 2004 as the well known Al Qaeda then two years later broke away and named itself ISIS, although they are still an ally of Al Qaeda. ISIS is one of the most effective and brutal radical anti-western groups. 2 How did ISIS become so powerful? disenfranchisement: Communities within Syria and Iraq were feeling alienated by Shite- and Alawite- led governments. Using this to their advantage ISIS encouraged the feeling of disenchantment which lead to these communities feeling empowered through violence. Racketeering and extortion: Before ISIS legitimately controlled Mosul, it ran a racketeering business (very similar to what the mafia does in the U.S.). People and businesses had to pay a fee so that ISIS would keep them safe. Taxation: Just as any government would ISIS uses the countries it controls to earn a profit. Oil: Within many of the territories it controls oil fields are abundant. Since they are not allowed to sell in the international markets, they took to the black markets to earn income. ISIS’s goal They are aimed at creating an Islamic state (caliphate) across the territories of Iraq and Syria. What is a Caliphate? It’s an Islamic state that has a strict enforcement of the Sharia Law. The areas under this rule would then be ruled by a caliph which is Baghdadi. Those under the rule would have to follow the Sharia Law which is based on Islam teachings of the Quran. Who is targeted? They are targeting the Islamic states mostly but have went after other religions as well. They have beheaded those they have taken, tortured, and stoned them. Women are another target. They have very often captured and raped women. Then took them and sold them as slaves. Just within the beginning of 2014 more than 10,000 lives were taken by the group. They are also the first terroristic group to take pride in their doings on social media, by making videos. Some of the major crimes of ISIS They burn pilots in cages: Early in January ISIS had captured a Jordanian pilot and locked him in a cage. Then they proceeded to pour a inflammable liquid over him and lighting him on fire and videoed it for the world to see. They execute their own soldiers: between the months of June 2014 and December 2014 ISIS killed around 200 of its members. They had become uncertain when it came to if they wanted to join the group or not and had attempted to return home. They have also killed those who they thought would be “ineffective” in battle. They use child soldiers: By either recruitment or kidnapping ISIS uses child soldiers as a means to spy, human shields, and to donate their blood for their injured soldiers. The.

1. Isis
What is ISIS?
It was first formed as Al Qaeda in 2003 when the U.S. invaded
Iraq.
ISIS ( the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria) is one of the most
successful military group, by taking control of parts of Iraq and
Syria, for many years it has governed over this territory and has
even declared itself a state.
The group started in 2004 as the well known Al Qaeda then two
years later broke away and named itself ISIS, although they are
still an ally of Al Qaeda.
ISIS is one of the most effective and brutal radical anti-western
groups.
2
How did ISIS become so powerful?
disenfranchisement: Communities within Syria and Iraq were
feeling alienated by Shite- and Alawite- led governments. Using
this to their advantage ISIS encouraged the feeling of
disenchantment which lead to these communities feeling
empowered through violence.
Racketeering and extortion: Before ISIS legitimately controlled
Mosul, it ran a racketeering business (very similar to what the
mafia does in the U.S.). People and businesses had to pay a fee
so that ISIS would keep them safe.
Taxation: Just as any government would ISIS uses the countries
it controls to earn a profit.

2. Oil: Within many of the territories it controls oil fields are
abundant. Since they are not allowed to sell in the international
markets, they took to the black markets to earn income.
ISIS’s goal
They are aimed at creating an Islamic state (caliphate) across
the territories of Iraq and Syria.
What is a Caliphate? It’s an Islamic state that has a strict
enforcement of the Sharia Law. The areas under this rule would
then be ruled by a caliph which is Baghdadi. Those under the
rule would have to follow the Sharia Law which is based on
Islam teachings of the Quran.
Who is targeted?
They are targeting the Islamic states mostly but have went after
other religions as well. They have beheaded those they have
taken, tortured, and stoned them.
Women are another target. They have very often captured and
raped women. Then took them and sold them as slaves.
Just within the beginning of 2014 more than 10,000 lives were
taken by the group.
They are also the first terroristic group to take pride in their
doings on social media, by making videos.
Some of the major crimes of ISIS
They burn pilots in cages: Early in January ISIS had captured a
Jordanian pilot and locked him in a cage. Then they proceeded
to pour a inflammable liquid over him and lighting him on fire
and videoed it for the world to see.
They execute their own soldiers: between the months of June
2014 and December 2014 ISIS killed around 200 of its
members. They had become uncertain when it came to if they
wanted to join the group or not and had attempted to return

3. home. They have also killed those who they thought would be
“ineffective” in battle.
They use child soldiers: By either recruitment or kidnapping
ISIS uses child soldiers as a means to spy, human shields, and
to donate their blood for their injured soldiers. They are more
often than not put on the front line to shield those behind them.
The battle against ISIS
Who’s involved:
Regional allies- Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey,
Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Iraqi Kurdistan, Bahrain
Western allies- United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany,
Canada, The Netherlands, United States
Together these States work together to fight against the terrorist
group ISIS. They each bring something different to the table.
Questions
Is the United States doing enough to combat ISIS?
Should the UN step in and help with the battle of terrorism?
Will the coalition of states get along long enough to make a
difference in the fight against terrorism?
Do you think ISIS will be successful in creating an Islamic
state across Iraq and Syria?
Resources
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/14/world/isis-everything-you-
need-to-know/
http://listovative.com/everything-about-isis-8-must-know-facts/
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/22/ISIS-s-10-Most-
Extreme-Acts-Terror
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-rise-and-spread-
the-islamic-state

4. http://theweek.com/articles/589924/brief-history-isis
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/09/world/meast/isis-coalition-
nations/