This document provides an analysis of the Islamic State (ISIS) and the U.S. response. It discusses the history and nature of ISIS, analyzing their strategy, environment, popular support, organization, and lack of external state support. The document evaluates the U.S. government response and recommends continuing current strategies while advocating for Sunni welfare and autonomy in Syria and Iraq.
The ISIS awareness: calling out for international attentionMina Woo
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) aims to bring Muslim-inhabited regions under its political control through adopting hardline beliefs from Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood. ISIS rejects Western interpretations and uses sophisticated social media and gruesome propaganda videos to spread its extremist Sunni ideologies and terrorize those who do not follow its beliefs. The United States is currently waging war against ISIS in response to beheadings of American journalists and civilians.
This document provides an overview and analysis of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). It discusses ISIS's ideology and tactics, and how the organization has evolved over time. Key points include: ISIS was formed in 2003 and split from al-Qaeda in 2013 over strategic differences; under new leader al-Baghdadi, ISIS has focused on establishing a caliphate through violence and unrest in Iraq and Syria; unstable conditions following the US withdrawal from Iraq created an environment for ISIS recruitment and growth; and ISIS uses brutal tactics like torture to assert control while also engaging communities through social media propaganda.
This document provides a comparative analysis of the leadership, operations, and strategies of three terrorist organizations: ISIS, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). It discusses the leadership and evolution of each group over time. ISIS emerged stronger in 2013 under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and controls territory in Iraq and Syria. AQAP was formed through a merger in Yemen and Saudi Arabia and is now led by Qasim al-Raymi. AQIM operates in North and West Africa and has expanded beyond Algeria under the leadership of Abdelmalek Droukdel. The document aims to comprehensively understand these
This document is a thesis submitted by Ali R. Malik for a master's degree in global affairs from New York University. It analyzes the spread of ISIS and its potential expansion into Pakistan. The thesis notes ISIS controls significant territory across 10-12 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. While Pakistan is currently absent from maps of ISIS influence, the document argues factors like radical madrassas and historical issues with security forces make Pakistan vulnerable to an ISIS invasion or expansion.
Ba'athist Influence on the Islamic State 2Trevor McGuire
Former members of Saddam Hussein's secular Ba'athist regime in Iraq have come to lead the Islamic State after becoming radicalized following the U.S. invasion and overthrow of Saddam in 2003. The U.S. dismantling of Saddam's government and de-Ba'athification process marginalized many former officials and caused tensions that increased over time under a new Shiite-dominated Iraqi government, pushing some Ba'athists toward radical Sunni insurgent and terrorist groups. Ex-Ba'athist military officers and intelligence officials now hold many leadership positions in the Islamic State, including as provincial governors, and have been instrumental in building up its governing structures and military capabilities despite ideological
There are a variety of reasons that people decide to join the Islamic State. Through its propaganda and recruitment process, IS targets those who are outcasts in their community or minorities in their country or who have been discriminated against in a Western context. This presentation is built to combat the kind of misinformation that IS uses to gain recruits.
ISIS arose from the power vacuum left in Iraq after the US invasion in 2003 and grew stronger during the Syrian civil war. They seek to establish a caliphate governed by sharia law and have employed brutal tactics like using child soldiers. The US is fighting ISIS through strategic bombings, training local forces, and special operations while also trying to curb their financing from oil, taxes, and other illegal activities. However, defeating ISIS fully remains an ongoing challenge as long as political instability and sectarian tensions persist in the region.
This ppt tends to describe what happened in Paris, and what can be its outcomes. it further goes on to discuss a topic that people shy out while in public, though it is a heated topic with varied opinions in private- the connection of terrorism with muslim youth.
The ISIS awareness: calling out for international attentionMina Woo
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) aims to bring Muslim-inhabited regions under its political control through adopting hardline beliefs from Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood. ISIS rejects Western interpretations and uses sophisticated social media and gruesome propaganda videos to spread its extremist Sunni ideologies and terrorize those who do not follow its beliefs. The United States is currently waging war against ISIS in response to beheadings of American journalists and civilians.
This document provides an overview and analysis of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). It discusses ISIS's ideology and tactics, and how the organization has evolved over time. Key points include: ISIS was formed in 2003 and split from al-Qaeda in 2013 over strategic differences; under new leader al-Baghdadi, ISIS has focused on establishing a caliphate through violence and unrest in Iraq and Syria; unstable conditions following the US withdrawal from Iraq created an environment for ISIS recruitment and growth; and ISIS uses brutal tactics like torture to assert control while also engaging communities through social media propaganda.
This document provides a comparative analysis of the leadership, operations, and strategies of three terrorist organizations: ISIS, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). It discusses the leadership and evolution of each group over time. ISIS emerged stronger in 2013 under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and controls territory in Iraq and Syria. AQAP was formed through a merger in Yemen and Saudi Arabia and is now led by Qasim al-Raymi. AQIM operates in North and West Africa and has expanded beyond Algeria under the leadership of Abdelmalek Droukdel. The document aims to comprehensively understand these
This document is a thesis submitted by Ali R. Malik for a master's degree in global affairs from New York University. It analyzes the spread of ISIS and its potential expansion into Pakistan. The thesis notes ISIS controls significant territory across 10-12 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. While Pakistan is currently absent from maps of ISIS influence, the document argues factors like radical madrassas and historical issues with security forces make Pakistan vulnerable to an ISIS invasion or expansion.
Ba'athist Influence on the Islamic State 2Trevor McGuire
Former members of Saddam Hussein's secular Ba'athist regime in Iraq have come to lead the Islamic State after becoming radicalized following the U.S. invasion and overthrow of Saddam in 2003. The U.S. dismantling of Saddam's government and de-Ba'athification process marginalized many former officials and caused tensions that increased over time under a new Shiite-dominated Iraqi government, pushing some Ba'athists toward radical Sunni insurgent and terrorist groups. Ex-Ba'athist military officers and intelligence officials now hold many leadership positions in the Islamic State, including as provincial governors, and have been instrumental in building up its governing structures and military capabilities despite ideological
There are a variety of reasons that people decide to join the Islamic State. Through its propaganda and recruitment process, IS targets those who are outcasts in their community or minorities in their country or who have been discriminated against in a Western context. This presentation is built to combat the kind of misinformation that IS uses to gain recruits.
ISIS arose from the power vacuum left in Iraq after the US invasion in 2003 and grew stronger during the Syrian civil war. They seek to establish a caliphate governed by sharia law and have employed brutal tactics like using child soldiers. The US is fighting ISIS through strategic bombings, training local forces, and special operations while also trying to curb their financing from oil, taxes, and other illegal activities. However, defeating ISIS fully remains an ongoing challenge as long as political instability and sectarian tensions persist in the region.
This ppt tends to describe what happened in Paris, and what can be its outcomes. it further goes on to discuss a topic that people shy out while in public, though it is a heated topic with varied opinions in private- the connection of terrorism with muslim youth.
The document summarizes the current US policy and alternatives for addressing the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group. The US is leading a coalition to degrade and destroy ISIS through military airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria, training and equipping Iraqi and Kurdish forces, and disrupting ISIS's financing. However, the Obama administration refuses to coordinate with the Syrian regime. The US has conducted over 2,000 airstrikes and deployed 3,100 military personnel to train Iraqi forces. It is also providing weapons and aid to Kurdish peshmerga forces. The goal is to support local forces in retaking ISIS-controlled territory and limiting the group's resources and ability to operate
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) was founded in 1981 in Gaza by Fathi Shaqaqi and Abd Al Aziz Awda. It is dedicated to armed resistance and terrorist attacks against Israel to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine. PIJ rejects diplomacy and political solutions, believing only violence will destroy Israel. It operates mainly from Gaza and Syria, and is funded by Iran. PIJ's main tactic is suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians and military personnel.
The document discusses terrorism and the Islamic State. It defines terrorism as the use of unlawful violence against people or property to create fear and force political or social changes. It describes the Islamic State as a political and military organization that holds a radical interpretation of Islam and seeks to impose its worldview through force on Muslims and non-Muslims. Originally an al-Qaeda affiliate known as al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Islamic State participated in the Iraq War and later joined the Syrian Civil War, focusing on building an Islamic state rather than defeating the Assad regime. In 2014, the Islamic State declared the establishment of an Islamic caliphate led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
the ppt is about the rise of islamic state and the current situation of coalition forces... the economy of the group and the measures to curbe the group
Al Qaeda is the terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden in 1988. The group’s ideology is founded on the premise that Muslims who follow secular leaders are treating these leaders as gods, and therefore, are apostates because they are disobeying the first principle in Islam, the assertion that “There is no deity but Allah.” Adherents to this ideology claim to be defending Islam when they kill these Muslims and Westerners who advocate or support this form of apostasy. Al Qaeda’s goal is to liberate Muslim lands of “apostate” governments and establish an Islamic state, a caliphate, in their stead.
Osama bin Laden envisioned al Qaeda as a global network that led the jihad against the United States, the West, and allied Muslim governments. The group known today as al Qaeda core serves as the center of the al Qaeda network, which now also includes groups recognized by the al Qaeda emir, or leader, as affiliates. These are al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al Shabaab, al Qaeda in Iraq, Jabhat al Nusra, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus. Recovered al Qaeda correspondence, especially from the Abbottabad raid, reveals continued communications about ongoing developments and operations between senior leaders in Pakistan and leaders of affiliated groups.
Read more at www.criticalthreats.org/al-qaeda/al-qaeda-affiliates
This slide deck presents some of the insights gleaned from a data set in Ntrepid Corporation’s Timestream application that is an open-source collection of reported ISIS-linked activity in Yemen. The full case study is available: http://www.criticalthreats.org/yemen/exploring-isis-yemen-zimmerman-july-24-2015.
The Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) is attempting to expand its footprint in Yemen. ISIS declared an Islamic Caliphate on June 29, 2014, under the leadership of the new Caliph, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. The return of the Caliphate under Baghdadi placed an obligation on all Muslims to pledge allegiance to him, according to ISIS. Al Qaeda broadly dismisses the legitimacy of the Caliphate under ISIS, and ISIS and al Qaeda are now in competition for the leadership of the global jihadist movement.
Al Qaeda’s Yemen-based affiliate, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), dominates the jihadist fight in the country and it remains the greatest direct threat to the United States from the al Qaeda network. AQAP leadership reaffirmed its allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri in November 2014, publicly rejecting the legitimacy of the Islamic Caliphate. The 2015 collapse of the central Yemeni state created opportunities for AQAP to exploit, and the group is expanding its presence in Yemen.
The initial reaction to ISIS in Yemen was muted, but the group has begun to make inroads as the conflict there protracts. ISIS began claiming regular attacks in Yemen as of March 2015 and now operates in at least eight Yemeni governorates.
The document discusses the origins, presence, and activities of ISIS/ISIL. It outlines their recruitment methods including use of social media and magazines to spread propaganda and recruit fighters. It also details their sources of funding and impact on global economy. The document then examines the fight against ISIS by countries like the US, Kurds, and Iran as well as hacking group Anonymous. It concludes by discussing the role of religion in extremism and includes a bibliography of sources.
This document provides a summary of the 2013 Country Reports on Terrorism published by the United States Department of State. It discusses key trends in terrorism in 2013, including the evolving threat posed by al-Qa'ida affiliates in regions like Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Northwest Africa and the Sahel, as well as the rise of increasingly violent groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. It also summarizes terrorism trends and issues in other regions like South Asia, North Africa, East Africa, and assesses the ongoing threats posed by various terrorist groups around the world.
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, seeks to establish a global caliphate and impose its extreme version of Sharia law worldwide. It was founded in Iraq in 1999 and is now the most powerful and well-funded terrorist group in the world, controlling large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria. Led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS commits horrific acts of violence such as mass executions, beheadings, and burning people alive in an effort to terrorize its enemies and attract new followers to its cause. It poses a major threat through both its territorial control and its calls for "lone wolf" attacks in Western countries.
Emergence of ISIS in Afghanistan. A threat to regional security.Syed Bilal Ahmed Shah
1. The document discusses the emergence and rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and their growing presence and threat in Afghanistan. It traces the origins of ISIS back to 2004 when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and formed al-Qaeda in Iraq.
2. Over time, al-Qaeda in Iraq merged with other insurgent groups, becoming the Islamic State of Iraq by 2006. They gained strength and territory in Iraq and later expanded into Syria in the chaos of the Syrian civil war, becoming the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/Levant.
3. ISIS now poses a threat in Afghanistan by seeking to displace al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban for
ISIS originated in 2004 as Al Qaeda in Iraq and rebranded as ISIS in 2013 after expanding into Syria. It gained strength after the US withdrawal from Iraq and amidst sectarian conflict, capturing territory in Iraq and Syria. ISIS generates revenue from oil, taxes, and other means to fund its goal of establishing a global caliphate through violent expansion and inspiring terrorist attacks abroad. A US-led international coalition has made gains against ISIS but it remains a threat through physical territory and online recruitment for lone wolf attacks in line with its extremist ideology.
What is iran doing in iraq how important is iran in the ground war against isismmangusta
Iran is playing a major role in fighting ISIS in Iraq by supporting Shiite militias and working directly with Iraqi security forces. It is seeking to prevent ISIS and other Sunni extremist groups from taking power in Iraq, maintain Shiite political dominance, and demonstrate its importance in the region. While both the US and Iran want to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and defeat ISIS, they have different goals in Syria and approaches to addressing Sunni grievances that complicate their strategies.
This analysis has been made on what Media and individual say about ISIS on open platform like- Twitter, Blog, News & Forum. This is a Social Media monitoring and analysis report, not a Intelligence report. For creating the analysis report I have used historical data of the last one Year of Twitter, News, Blog, Forum & video conversations.
If you have any further question you can comment below.
ISIS/ ISIL/IS/ Daish 2017 Presentation by Anaba FarooquiAnaba Farooqui
The document summarizes the origins and activities of ISIS. It traces ISIS back to 2004 with the formation of Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) led by Zarqawi. Over time, ISIS gained control of territory in Iraq and Syria under Baghdadi's leadership. The group is known by several names and has carried out numerous terrorist attacks in Europe and the Middle East. The U.S.-led coalition has conducted over 13,000 airstrikes against ISIS since 2014, but the group remains active in over 18 countries.
IAI seminar on "The Fight against ISIS and the US Policy in the Middle East", with Daniel Serwer, Middle East Institute and School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
Rome, 19 March 2015
Degrading al Qaeda leadership is central to American counterterrorism strategy, but the leaders today are not the same as they were in 2001. Al Qaeda leaders are no longer necessarily connected by formal networks and many operate outside of any formal affiliation to the al Qaeda network. Such a development makes it insufficient to rely solely on group membership or public identification to isolate the al Qaeda leadership group.
For more information, please visit http://www.criticalthreats.org/al-qaeda/hagen-aqim-leaders-and-networks-march-27-2014
The Islamic State - Revolutionizing the Historical Precedent of TerrorismAshley Smith
The document discusses the evolution of the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State (IS). It began as al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) in 2004, and underwent several name changes as it grew in size and territorial control. By 2014, after expanding into Syria, it declared itself the Islamic State, aiming to establish authority over all of the world's Muslims. The name changes corresponded with major developments for the group, such as splitting from al-Qaeda, gaining new leadership, and taking control of large areas across Iraq and Syria. The Islamic State aims to position its leader as a dominant figure for Muslims worldwide.
1) Abu Musab al-Zarqawi formed al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in 2002 and led it until his death in 2006 when it merged with al-Qaeda in Iraq and became known as al-Qaeda in Iraq.
2) ISIS gained strength in Iraq and Syria between 2013-2015, taking control of key cities like Mosul and Raqqa. They established a caliphate, implemented sharia law, and generated revenue through oil sales, taxation and looting.
3) ISIS attracted thousands of foreign fighters to its ranks through propaganda promoting ideals of caliphate, justice, and identity. Its numerous violent attacks worldwide have had a significant impact globally.
Daesh originated from al-Qaeda in Iraq in 2004 and seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate. It controls large areas of Syria and Iraq and has pledged allegiance from other jihadi groups. Daesh's ideology is based on a rigid interpretation of Sharia law and a belief that it must rule based on God's word. While social factors in the Middle East contributed to its rise, Daesh's appeal is primarily driven by its religious ideology and vision of restoring the Islamic caliphate. Understanding Daesh requires examining both its ideological foundations and the environmental factors that influenced its formation and growth.
Cruz María Peláez vive en Quito y estudia Administración de Empresas mientras trabaja. Describe sus experiencias con la educación a distancia, la cual ofrece flexibilidad y permite el aprendizaje autodirigido independientemente de la ubicación geográfica. Sin embargo, también presenta desventajas como la dificultad de transmitir contenidos actitudinales y la interacción social limitada. El documento luego explica los roles clave en la educación a distancia como el coordinador, experto en contenidos, profesor tutor y estudiante.
Este documento describe la experiencia de Antonio Jaramillo estudiando a distancia en la UTPL. Resalta que requiere responsabilidad, compromiso y sacrificio, así como reorganizar el tiempo para trabajar y estudiar. Explica que el aprendizaje a distancia depende del apoyo de tutores y recursos educativos abiertos disponibles en internet y centros de apoyo. Finalmente, concluye que esta modalidad lo prepara profesionalmente y en valores, permitiéndole aplicar lo aprendido en su vida laboral y lograr su meta de obtener un título
The document summarizes the current US policy and alternatives for addressing the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group. The US is leading a coalition to degrade and destroy ISIS through military airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria, training and equipping Iraqi and Kurdish forces, and disrupting ISIS's financing. However, the Obama administration refuses to coordinate with the Syrian regime. The US has conducted over 2,000 airstrikes and deployed 3,100 military personnel to train Iraqi forces. It is also providing weapons and aid to Kurdish peshmerga forces. The goal is to support local forces in retaking ISIS-controlled territory and limiting the group's resources and ability to operate
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) was founded in 1981 in Gaza by Fathi Shaqaqi and Abd Al Aziz Awda. It is dedicated to armed resistance and terrorist attacks against Israel to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine. PIJ rejects diplomacy and political solutions, believing only violence will destroy Israel. It operates mainly from Gaza and Syria, and is funded by Iran. PIJ's main tactic is suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians and military personnel.
The document discusses terrorism and the Islamic State. It defines terrorism as the use of unlawful violence against people or property to create fear and force political or social changes. It describes the Islamic State as a political and military organization that holds a radical interpretation of Islam and seeks to impose its worldview through force on Muslims and non-Muslims. Originally an al-Qaeda affiliate known as al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Islamic State participated in the Iraq War and later joined the Syrian Civil War, focusing on building an Islamic state rather than defeating the Assad regime. In 2014, the Islamic State declared the establishment of an Islamic caliphate led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
the ppt is about the rise of islamic state and the current situation of coalition forces... the economy of the group and the measures to curbe the group
Al Qaeda is the terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden in 1988. The group’s ideology is founded on the premise that Muslims who follow secular leaders are treating these leaders as gods, and therefore, are apostates because they are disobeying the first principle in Islam, the assertion that “There is no deity but Allah.” Adherents to this ideology claim to be defending Islam when they kill these Muslims and Westerners who advocate or support this form of apostasy. Al Qaeda’s goal is to liberate Muslim lands of “apostate” governments and establish an Islamic state, a caliphate, in their stead.
Osama bin Laden envisioned al Qaeda as a global network that led the jihad against the United States, the West, and allied Muslim governments. The group known today as al Qaeda core serves as the center of the al Qaeda network, which now also includes groups recognized by the al Qaeda emir, or leader, as affiliates. These are al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al Shabaab, al Qaeda in Iraq, Jabhat al Nusra, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus. Recovered al Qaeda correspondence, especially from the Abbottabad raid, reveals continued communications about ongoing developments and operations between senior leaders in Pakistan and leaders of affiliated groups.
Read more at www.criticalthreats.org/al-qaeda/al-qaeda-affiliates
This slide deck presents some of the insights gleaned from a data set in Ntrepid Corporation’s Timestream application that is an open-source collection of reported ISIS-linked activity in Yemen. The full case study is available: http://www.criticalthreats.org/yemen/exploring-isis-yemen-zimmerman-july-24-2015.
The Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) is attempting to expand its footprint in Yemen. ISIS declared an Islamic Caliphate on June 29, 2014, under the leadership of the new Caliph, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. The return of the Caliphate under Baghdadi placed an obligation on all Muslims to pledge allegiance to him, according to ISIS. Al Qaeda broadly dismisses the legitimacy of the Caliphate under ISIS, and ISIS and al Qaeda are now in competition for the leadership of the global jihadist movement.
Al Qaeda’s Yemen-based affiliate, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), dominates the jihadist fight in the country and it remains the greatest direct threat to the United States from the al Qaeda network. AQAP leadership reaffirmed its allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri in November 2014, publicly rejecting the legitimacy of the Islamic Caliphate. The 2015 collapse of the central Yemeni state created opportunities for AQAP to exploit, and the group is expanding its presence in Yemen.
The initial reaction to ISIS in Yemen was muted, but the group has begun to make inroads as the conflict there protracts. ISIS began claiming regular attacks in Yemen as of March 2015 and now operates in at least eight Yemeni governorates.
The document discusses the origins, presence, and activities of ISIS/ISIL. It outlines their recruitment methods including use of social media and magazines to spread propaganda and recruit fighters. It also details their sources of funding and impact on global economy. The document then examines the fight against ISIS by countries like the US, Kurds, and Iran as well as hacking group Anonymous. It concludes by discussing the role of religion in extremism and includes a bibliography of sources.
This document provides a summary of the 2013 Country Reports on Terrorism published by the United States Department of State. It discusses key trends in terrorism in 2013, including the evolving threat posed by al-Qa'ida affiliates in regions like Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Northwest Africa and the Sahel, as well as the rise of increasingly violent groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. It also summarizes terrorism trends and issues in other regions like South Asia, North Africa, East Africa, and assesses the ongoing threats posed by various terrorist groups around the world.
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, seeks to establish a global caliphate and impose its extreme version of Sharia law worldwide. It was founded in Iraq in 1999 and is now the most powerful and well-funded terrorist group in the world, controlling large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria. Led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS commits horrific acts of violence such as mass executions, beheadings, and burning people alive in an effort to terrorize its enemies and attract new followers to its cause. It poses a major threat through both its territorial control and its calls for "lone wolf" attacks in Western countries.
Emergence of ISIS in Afghanistan. A threat to regional security.Syed Bilal Ahmed Shah
1. The document discusses the emergence and rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and their growing presence and threat in Afghanistan. It traces the origins of ISIS back to 2004 when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and formed al-Qaeda in Iraq.
2. Over time, al-Qaeda in Iraq merged with other insurgent groups, becoming the Islamic State of Iraq by 2006. They gained strength and territory in Iraq and later expanded into Syria in the chaos of the Syrian civil war, becoming the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/Levant.
3. ISIS now poses a threat in Afghanistan by seeking to displace al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban for
ISIS originated in 2004 as Al Qaeda in Iraq and rebranded as ISIS in 2013 after expanding into Syria. It gained strength after the US withdrawal from Iraq and amidst sectarian conflict, capturing territory in Iraq and Syria. ISIS generates revenue from oil, taxes, and other means to fund its goal of establishing a global caliphate through violent expansion and inspiring terrorist attacks abroad. A US-led international coalition has made gains against ISIS but it remains a threat through physical territory and online recruitment for lone wolf attacks in line with its extremist ideology.
What is iran doing in iraq how important is iran in the ground war against isismmangusta
Iran is playing a major role in fighting ISIS in Iraq by supporting Shiite militias and working directly with Iraqi security forces. It is seeking to prevent ISIS and other Sunni extremist groups from taking power in Iraq, maintain Shiite political dominance, and demonstrate its importance in the region. While both the US and Iran want to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and defeat ISIS, they have different goals in Syria and approaches to addressing Sunni grievances that complicate their strategies.
This analysis has been made on what Media and individual say about ISIS on open platform like- Twitter, Blog, News & Forum. This is a Social Media monitoring and analysis report, not a Intelligence report. For creating the analysis report I have used historical data of the last one Year of Twitter, News, Blog, Forum & video conversations.
If you have any further question you can comment below.
ISIS/ ISIL/IS/ Daish 2017 Presentation by Anaba FarooquiAnaba Farooqui
The document summarizes the origins and activities of ISIS. It traces ISIS back to 2004 with the formation of Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) led by Zarqawi. Over time, ISIS gained control of territory in Iraq and Syria under Baghdadi's leadership. The group is known by several names and has carried out numerous terrorist attacks in Europe and the Middle East. The U.S.-led coalition has conducted over 13,000 airstrikes against ISIS since 2014, but the group remains active in over 18 countries.
IAI seminar on "The Fight against ISIS and the US Policy in the Middle East", with Daniel Serwer, Middle East Institute and School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
Rome, 19 March 2015
Degrading al Qaeda leadership is central to American counterterrorism strategy, but the leaders today are not the same as they were in 2001. Al Qaeda leaders are no longer necessarily connected by formal networks and many operate outside of any formal affiliation to the al Qaeda network. Such a development makes it insufficient to rely solely on group membership or public identification to isolate the al Qaeda leadership group.
For more information, please visit http://www.criticalthreats.org/al-qaeda/hagen-aqim-leaders-and-networks-march-27-2014
The Islamic State - Revolutionizing the Historical Precedent of TerrorismAshley Smith
The document discusses the evolution of the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State (IS). It began as al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) in 2004, and underwent several name changes as it grew in size and territorial control. By 2014, after expanding into Syria, it declared itself the Islamic State, aiming to establish authority over all of the world's Muslims. The name changes corresponded with major developments for the group, such as splitting from al-Qaeda, gaining new leadership, and taking control of large areas across Iraq and Syria. The Islamic State aims to position its leader as a dominant figure for Muslims worldwide.
1) Abu Musab al-Zarqawi formed al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in 2002 and led it until his death in 2006 when it merged with al-Qaeda in Iraq and became known as al-Qaeda in Iraq.
2) ISIS gained strength in Iraq and Syria between 2013-2015, taking control of key cities like Mosul and Raqqa. They established a caliphate, implemented sharia law, and generated revenue through oil sales, taxation and looting.
3) ISIS attracted thousands of foreign fighters to its ranks through propaganda promoting ideals of caliphate, justice, and identity. Its numerous violent attacks worldwide have had a significant impact globally.
Daesh originated from al-Qaeda in Iraq in 2004 and seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate. It controls large areas of Syria and Iraq and has pledged allegiance from other jihadi groups. Daesh's ideology is based on a rigid interpretation of Sharia law and a belief that it must rule based on God's word. While social factors in the Middle East contributed to its rise, Daesh's appeal is primarily driven by its religious ideology and vision of restoring the Islamic caliphate. Understanding Daesh requires examining both its ideological foundations and the environmental factors that influenced its formation and growth.
Cruz María Peláez vive en Quito y estudia Administración de Empresas mientras trabaja. Describe sus experiencias con la educación a distancia, la cual ofrece flexibilidad y permite el aprendizaje autodirigido independientemente de la ubicación geográfica. Sin embargo, también presenta desventajas como la dificultad de transmitir contenidos actitudinales y la interacción social limitada. El documento luego explica los roles clave en la educación a distancia como el coordinador, experto en contenidos, profesor tutor y estudiante.
Este documento describe la experiencia de Antonio Jaramillo estudiando a distancia en la UTPL. Resalta que requiere responsabilidad, compromiso y sacrificio, así como reorganizar el tiempo para trabajar y estudiar. Explica que el aprendizaje a distancia depende del apoyo de tutores y recursos educativos abiertos disponibles en internet y centros de apoyo. Finalmente, concluye que esta modalidad lo prepara profesionalmente y en valores, permitiéndole aplicar lo aprendido en su vida laboral y lograr su meta de obtener un título
Cruz María Peláez vive en Quito y estudia Administración de Empresas mientras trabaja. Describe sus experiencias con la educación a distancia, incluyendo los beneficios de la flexibilidad en el horario y el desarrollo de la autonomía y la responsabilidad del estudiante. También señala posibles desventajas como la dificultad de transmitir contenidos actitudinales y la limitada interacción directa entre profesores y estudiantes.
Predicting Terrorist Attacks In Afghanistan - GulinoMatthew Gulino
The document discusses analyzing past terrorist attack locations in Afghanistan to determine geospatial trends and predict likely future locations of attacks. It evaluates two methods - kernel density analysis and spatial and temporal analysis of crime (STAC) hotspot analysis. The STAC analysis is able to identify statistically significant hotspots at the district level with more precision than kernel density analysis. The analysis finds that portions of Hilmand and Nangarhar provinces and several districts have the highest rates and densities of past terrorist attacks.
The document summarizes the opening scene of the film Scream. It analyzes various film techniques used to build tension and atmosphere, such as the title sequence with screams, the use of a famous actress, close-up shots of the main character on the phone, and diegetic sounds of phones ringing and trees rustling. The scene introduces the main character Sidney receiving mysterious phone calls from an unknown person asking about scary movies. Through dialogue and Sidney's frightened reactions, the caller is established as a threat who causes Sidney to rush around locking doors in a panic. The summary ends with Sidney turning on the outside light while still on the phone, heightening the tension without revealing the expected figure in the garden.
The opening establishes naturalistic environments with establishing shots of empty fields, stables, and wheat blowing in the wind with only natural sounds. The film title appears in white on black, contrasting good and evil. More establishing shots show empty streets as piano and cello play, creating a calm but eerie feel. The focus then turns to Hazel, an alcoholic police officer, as she wakes up disoriented and adds alcohol to her coffee, showing her struggle. Through shot composition and her actions dismissing others, Hazel is positioned as the central character who breaks stereotypes of her role.
The document analyzes the mise-en-scene, editing, cinematography, and sound techniques used in the film "Cape Fear." It notes that the water, eagle, and shadowy figures create unease, while the girl's innocence contrasts with implied danger. Shots of the main character establish him as important. Dissolves and match cuts follow the character and build tension. Framing and camera movements like pans and zooms are used to reveal information about locations and characters. The non-diegetic string score creates an unsettling atmosphere while allowing the young girl's dialogue to stand out.
The clip begins with children playing a tea party, though ominous music plays in the background to build tension. A master shot shows three girls in historical dresses from the early 1900s playing innocently with dolls. The lighting and music suggest something ominous will happen. The girls then break a teacup and stomp on a doll, before walking in a line and jumping out windows to their deaths. A scream is heard and the woman shouts "My babies" at having lost her children, establishing her as the grieving mother character. At the end, a figure in black clothing and veil is seen at the edge of the frame, implied to be the ominous "Woman in Black".
This document provides an analysis of the trailer for the film "Gone Girl". It summarizes several shots and elements from the trailer. The non-diegetic soundtrack creates an eerie tone. A close-up shows the man considering cracking his wife's skull. Her worried expression suggests something bad will happen. Establishing shots of deserted areas like an alleyway add to the thriller genre. A long shot introduces an unhappy man who seems important to the story.
The trailer summarizes the plot of The Revenant, a film based on true events about Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), a frontiersman who is badly injured in a bear attack and left for dead by his hunting team. However, Glass seeks revenge against those who betrayed him, enduring the harsh wilderness alone to survive. The trailer uses various shots and music to build tension and emotion, conveying Glass' struggle and motivation. It promotes the film's actors, release date in December, and ties into its theme of a man returning from the brink of death.
The document summarizes the filming process over two days for a student film project called KGMA. On the first day, the students filmed in a forest, getting shots of their actress running and standing in various locations while dealing with muddy and difficult conditions. They encountered issues like falls and other students in shots but were able to re-film. On the second day, they filmed their last scenes in a first aid room and corridor at their school, getting different angles and shots of their actress as planned. They finished feeling positive about the footage they obtained for their editing process.
The Impacts of Air Strikes on Islamic State VBIEDs in Iraq in 2014 - Gulino 2016Matthew Gulino
This document summarizes the author's research methodology for determining the impacts of US-led coalition airstrikes on ISIS's use of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) in Iraq in 2014. The author reviews literature on the effectiveness of air power, finding disagreement on whether air power alone or combined with ground forces can defeat ISIS. The author then outlines a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology using data on airstrikes and VBIED attacks from databases to identify any patterns or linkages between the two, in order to assess the effectiveness of airstrikes on reducing VBIED attacks. Limitations include the databases only covering through 2014 and challenges extracting locational data from text files.
Benchmarking en Social Media: ¿Qué es y cómo hacerlo?Rubén Máñez Leal
El benchmarking en social media es imprescindible tanto para saber qué hace tu competencia como para inspirarte. En la presentación encontrarás:
Guía paso a paso para analizar a tu competencia en internet.
20 herramientas para analizar a tu competencia.
The document provides an overview of the course "Mobile & Wireless Communication". It outlines topics that will be covered including evolution of wireless standards, modulation techniques, multiple access techniques, and wireless systems like GSM, WiFi and WiMAX. It also describes the course structure which will include quizzes, a project, and MATLAB assignments. Additionally, it provides details on the architecture of GSM networks including its base station subsystem, network subsystem, elements like HLR, VLR, EIR and the frequency ranges and multiplexing used in GSM.
1) The document discusses the rise of the Islamic State (IS) militant group and the potential terrorism risk they pose. It traces their origins from Al Qaeda in Iraq and expansion across Syria and Iraq in recent years.
2) The IS now controls significant territory and resources in the region and has established itself as a "caliphate", though no country recognizes it as a sovereign state. It generates revenue through oil assets and other means.
3) While the immediate terrorism threat from IS abroad may be low as they focus on regional battles, involvement of Western countries could motivate IS to attack soft targets globally. IS recruits foreigners who could aid international attacks, and their social media propaganda aids recruitment.
Assessing ISIS: Success or Failure of Islamist Insurgenciesinventionjournals
Assessing the current and long-term success of the Islamist insurgent group, the “Islamic State” (hereafter “ISIS”), requires not only identifying prerequisites for conducting insurgency but also assessing the group’s ability to attain the goals proclaimed by its ideology or program. Such success or failure can be determined by a systematic comparison with other Islamist insurgent groups which have either failed or succeeded in achieving their stated objectives. Examining the historical and theological backgrounds of movements, such as al Qaeda and Hezbollah, reveals that success requires having visible leadership openly controlling a territory and providing security and social services to its population. The importance of territorial control, a social-political infrastructure, and external legitimation is demonstrated by the relative success of groups enjoying Iranian support, such as Hezbollah, over Islamist groups following the non-state strategy of al Qaeda. ISIS has a visible leadership openly controlling a territory and providing at least minimal security and social services to its population but lacking belligerent status and having rejected alliances with like-minded Salafist groups sharing most of its goals. Another essential but often overlooked condition for success for militant Islamist movements is the endorsement of the traditional Muslim Ulema as guardians of the Islamic faith.
This document summarizes key information about the terrorist group ISIS and lessons that can be learned from historical analysis of terrorism. It describes ISIS's capabilities, including its demonstrated ability to fight and control territory in Iraq and Syria, establish governance structures, and generate funding through oil sales and taxation. The document also notes ISIS's willingness to commit atrocities like beheadings. It argues that ISIS represents a unique threat due to its state-building ambitions and that combating the group will test the US's ability to address future asymmetric threats that control territory and populations. The document concludes by outlining lessons from history that could inform how the US responds to ISIS, such as providing long-term military support to local forces and addressing
Al Qaeda is making progress with violent attacks against civilians and their barbaric slaughter of the innocents. What are the goals of this terror organization?
Terrorism aims to create widespread fear and gain attention through violence targeting civilians. Groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda receive weapons and funding from foreign governments like the US and Saudi Arabia to further political aims. Social media is used extensively by terrorist groups to recruit members and spread their brand. Training camps help terrorists develop new skills and some groups act as consultants carrying out attacks for other organizations. Ultimately, meddling by foreign powers in Middle Eastern countries contributed to the rise of terrorist groups by destabilizing the region and exacerbating sectarian tensions.
t is clear to anyone with a half brain by now that President Obama has not offered a cohesive strategy for fighting ISIS. Since 2010, his determination to disengage from Iraq and Syria was evident in his refusal to assist the Free Syrian Army and keep U.S. forces in Iraq beyond 2011.
OLLI, Session 3, From Hybrids to Homegrown Terror & Radicalization, Spring 20...DavidMcCuan
al-Qaeda provided financial and military support
- 2013: ISIS leader al-Baghdadi announced that Nusra Front
is under his command now – but Nusra Front refused to
submit to ISIS
- 2014: al-Qaeda broke up with ISIS because of its brutality
and its claim to establish a Caliphate immediately
- Today: Nusra Front is still active in Syria, cooperating with
other rebel groups against Assad
- ISIS established its own terrorist infrastructure in Syria too
The Caliphate
- 2014 June: ISIS declared the establishment of the Caliphate
and named al-Baghdadi as Caliph Ibrahim
- Aim
The document discusses ISIS's involvement in the civil wars in Iraq and Syria since April 2013. It analyzes whether the conflicts should be considered a single religious civil war involving ISIS or separate from the pre-existing wars in each country. The author argues that ISIS's goal of establishing a transnational caliphate and confrontation of governments in both countries makes its involvement a new religious civil war spanning Iraq and Syria. The war risks destabilizing the region and spreading jihadist rule. While the U.S. has taken several steps in response, they have not eradicated the ISIS threat or sought a resolution in Syria.
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – A Threat to Global Peace and Securityiosrjce
The Islamic state of Iraq and Syria which precisely is named ‘ISIS’ is an Islamic fundamental sect
that came in the world scene two decades ago under the leader of an Islamic extremist named Abu Musab alZarqawi.
Though, before the emergence of this deadly group, there had been other Islamic groups that had
unleash terror in our time. No matter the nomenclature they assume, all we know is that they have one aim. And
that is to carry out a jihadist movement that is hell-bent in converting everyone to Islam if possible. One of the
mission statements of Islamic state of Iraq and Syria is that anyone who dares to resist any Islamic system of
worship in the world would be dealt ruthlessly with. Iraq which abi initio have been termed axis of evil secured
a veritable ground to hatch their evil plans by liaising with troubled Syria to attack the west which they accused
of being enemy to Islam. Operating within Iraq and Syria alone could not have constituted a global threat by
this social miscreants, but their encroachment into other neighbouring countries like Turkey and other countries
around the middle-east is worrisome to the entire world. The U.S plan of using airstrikes to attack this group
may not yield the desired result unless land troops are used. This has been the useful suggestion of some
militant analysts. So this text is geared towards discussing or describing the situation in Iraq and Syria caused
by this deadly group nicknamed (ISIS) and to proffer possible means of curtailing their excesses before their
plan of obliterating non—Islamic groups is successfully carried out by them. All hands should be on deck to
support the U.S. and U.N in attacking this group until they are eliminated from the world scene.
The document provides background information on ISIS, including:
1) ISIS originated from Al-Qaeda in Iraq after the 2003 US invasion, and grew stronger during conflicts in Iraq and Syria between 2004-2014, taking control of Mosul.
2) ISIS is funded through oil sales, taxes, ransom payments, and donations from wealthy supporters, with annual income estimated at $2 billion. The US provided over $200 million in weapons and vehicles when withdrawing from Iraq.
3) The US and allies have conducted over 8,000 airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. ISIS has committed widespread atrocities, especially against women and children, through torture, rape, and brutal killings
The document recommends developing a global coalition to counter ISIS in the Middle East. It argues the current US policy of containment fails to address the root causes that led to ISIS's formation. A coalition that includes regional powers could help defeat ISIS by weakening its funding and addressing the economic and political grievances that fuel its growth. This would help stabilize the region and promote US interests like curbing Iran's influence and supporting allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, Russia may be reluctant to join a US-led coalition so its concerns would need to be addressed.
ISIS formed in 2004 as Al Qaeda in Iraq and rebranded as ISIS in 2013 after expanding into Syria. It captured territory in Iraq and Syria, implementing strict Sharia law and seeking to establish a global caliphate. The document discusses ISIS's origins, tactics of controlling oil fields and other resources to fund its operations, and goals of erasing borders from the Mediterranean to the Gulf. It also covers military efforts against ISIS and terrorist attacks inspired or conducted by ISIS, including the 2015 Paris attacks.
Introduction Why We Disagree about International RelationsIn A.docxnormanibarber20063
Introduction Why We Disagree about International Relations
In April, 2015, ISIS militants pose with their banner in a suburb of Damascus, Syria, that they had just partially captured. What has caused the rise of ISIS, and what can be done to counter it?
Photo by Balkis Press/Sipa USA (Sipa via AP Images)
In spring 2014, an Islamic army known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) swarmed across northern Syria and Iraq conquering territory larger than Belgium, including Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul. Also known as the Islamic State (IS), Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and Daesh, its Arab label, ISIS declared itself a Caliphate, resurrecting the ancient empire of Islam, and proceeded to threaten Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. Thousands of jihadists (religious revolutionaries) joined ISIS, some from the United States; and scattered extremist groups from North Africa to Southeast Asia pledged allegiance to ISIS and adopted its black flag. The Caliphate, under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, imposed a brutal Sunni Muslim law in the conquered territories, and hooded warriors beheaded Western journalists, local Christians and Shiite (non-Sunni) Muslims, captured in terrifying videos that went viral on the Internet. Ben Rhodes, the Deputy National Security Adviser to President Obama, identified the threat to the United States: “They are seeking to establish themselves as the vanguard terrorist organization that is at war with the U.S. and the West on behalf of Islam.”1
What causes a conflict of this sort? And what can be done about it? As students of international relations, we start with the facts, but we have to be careful. There are so many facts, and we can’t know them all or know for certain which ones may be the most important ones that cause other things to happen. Let’s look at what appear to be the salient facts in the case of ISIS and then make a first stab at how we sort out the facts and causes of international events to understand them better.
Syria and Iraq are centrally located in the geographically strategic region of the Middle East. They are Muslim countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey. Both Eastern and Western empires have occupied this region. Christian crusaders invaded in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and the region was part of the Ottoman Empire for several centuries. The first Muslim Caliphate dated from the thirteenth century. After World War I and the collapse of the Caliphate, Syria became a colonial territory under French administration, while Iraq became a British colony. Both became independent nations after World War II. After World War II, oil became a major resource in the Middle East. Western companies monopolized oil production and remain today major economic players in the region even though the oil-producing states now control their own oil and influence global oil markets through the Organization of Petroleum .
The document summarizes the rise of ISIS in Iraq and the ongoing conflict between Sunni and Shia sects. It describes how ISIS seized Mosul and other cities in Iraq in June 2014, exploiting Sunni discontent with the Shia-led government. ISIS seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate governed by Sharia law and now controls large parts of Iraq and Syria, posing a threat to the region, Western interests, and South Asia. Efforts are needed to curb ISIS's growing territorial control and prevent the conflict from engulfing the entire Muslim world.
Similar to Fighting the Islamic State - Matthew Gulino_01 (14)
1. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
1
Evaluating the Fight against the Islamic State
Thispaperanalyzesthe U.S. response tothe worldwide insurgencyandterrororganizationknownas
the IslamicState (IS),ISIS,ISIL,andDaesh. i
This paperanalyzesthe historyand nature of the Islamic
State and the geopoliticssurroundingit.Itexploresthe strategiesandtacticsthat the U.S. is currently
conducting,andrecommendsthatthese strategiesandtacticscontinue.The paper’srecommendations
for changesare largelypolitical.The paperrecommends thatthe U.S.become the advocate forSunni
welfare andautonomyinSyriaandIraq.
It isveryimportantto conduct a thoroughevaluationof agovernment’sresponse toinsurgency and
terrorism.Whata governmentdoesorneglectstodoand how it performshasa directbearingon the
strategiesandformsof warfare insurgentsandterroristschoose,andthe nature andextentof
challengesinsurgentsmustcope withastheyseektoaccomplishtheiraims.The more government
responsesare informed,prudent,relevant,determined,anddisciplined,the greaterthe burdenonthe
insurgents. A keytoa government’sresponse toinsurgencyandterrorismisthe recognitionthat
insurgencyandterrorismisa political andmilitaryphenomenon.The primary questionis which
dimensionismostsignificantandwhatto do aboutit. ii
History of the Islamic State
The jihadistgroupIslamicState (IS) burstonto the international scene in2014 whenitseizedlarge
swathesof territoryinSyriaand Iraq.It has become notoriousforitsbrutality,includingmasskillings,
abductionsandbeheadings.The groupthoughhasattracted supportelsewhere inthe Muslimworld -
and a US-ledcoalitionhasvowedtodestroyit. InJune 2014, the group formallydeclaredthe
establishmentof a"caliphate" - a state governedinaccordance withIslamiclaw,orSharia,byGod's
deputyonEarth, or caliph.Ithas demandedthatMuslimsacrossthe worldswearallegiance toitsleader
- IbrahimAwadIbrahimal-Badri al-Samarrai,betterknownasAbuBakral-Baghdadi - andmigrate to
territoryunderitscontrol.IShas alsotoldotherjihadistgroupsworldwide thattheymustacceptits
supreme authority.Manyalreadyhave,amongthemseveral offshootsof the rival al-Qaedanetwork. IS
seekstoeradicate obstaclestorestoringGod'srule onEarth and to defendthe Muslimcommunity,or
umma,againstinfidelsandapostates.The grouphaswelcomedthe prospectof directconfrontation
withthe US-ledcoalition,viewingitasa harbingerof an end-of-timesshowdownbetweenMuslimsand
theirenemiesdescribedinIslamicapocalypticprophecies.iii
IS can trace itsroots back to the late AbuMusab al-Zarqawi,aJordanian.In2004, a yearafterthe US-led
invasionof Iraq,Zarqawi pledgedallegiance toOsamaBinLadenand formedal-QaedainIraq(AQI),
whichbecame a majorforce in the insurgency. AfterZarqawi'sdeathin2006, AQIcreatedan umbrella
organisation,IslamicState inIraq(ISI).ISIwassteadilyweakenedbythe UStroopsurge andthe creation
of Sahwa(Awakening) councilsbySunni Arabtribesmenwhorejecteditsbrutality.Baghdadi,aformer
US detainee,became leaderin2010 and beganrebuildingISI'scapabilities.By2013, itwas once again
carryingout dozensof attacks a monthin Iraq.It had alsojoinedthe rebellionagainstPresidentBashar
al-AssadinSyria,settingupthe al-NusraFront.InApril 2013, Baghdadi announcedthe mergerof his
forcesinIraq and Syriaand the creationof "IslamicState inIraq and the Levant"(Isis).The leadersof al-
Nusraand al-Qaedarejectedthe move,butfightersloyal toBaghdadi splitfromal-NusraandhelpedIsis
2. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
2
remaininSyria.At the endof December2013, Isisshifteditsfocusbackto Iraq and exploitedapolitical
stand-off betweenthe Shia-ledgovernmentandthe minoritySunni Arabcommunity.Aidedby
tribesmenandformerSaddamHusseinloyalists,Isistookcontrol of the central cityof Falluja. InJune
2014, Isisoverranthe northerncityof Mosul,and thenadvancedsouthwardstowardsBaghdad,
massacringitsadversariesandthreateningtoeradicate the country'smanyethnicandreligious
minorities.Atthe endof the month,afterconsolidatingitsholdoverdozensof citiesandtowns,Isis
declaredthe creationof a caliphate andchangeditsname to "IslamicState".iv
The Nature of the Islamic State
In orderto devise astrategyto defeatIS, we mustfirstdetermineitsnature. Insurgencymaybe defined
as a struggle betweenanon-rulinggroup andthe rulingauthoritiesinwhichthe non-rulinggroup
consciouslyusespolitical resourcesandviolence todestroy,reformulate,orsustainthe basisof
legitimacyof one ormore aspectsof politics. v
ISmeetsthisdefinitionbecause it isusingpolitical
resourcesandviolence toestablishacaliphate.The caliphate wouldbe anenormousIslamicstate that
encompassesall Muslimsworldwide.However, the sectarianforcesof IS aren'tcountingShiaMuslimsin
that equation,onlySunnis.IS’desireandapparentstrategy istooverthrow the existinggovernmentsof
unstable,heavilyMuslimnationsandestablishtheirowntheocraticstate initsplace.vi
Bard O’neill hasidentifiedsevenmajorelementsof insurgenciesthatmustbe identifiedandstudied:
TheirNature,Strategy,Environment,PopularSupport,OrganizationandUnity,External Support,and
GovernmentResponse. vii
Whilethispaperwillfocuson analyzingthe GovernmentResponse,Iwill
outline the firstsix elementsof the ISinsurgencytohelpgive thisresponse context.
IS’nature isa traditionalistinsurgencymixedwithapocalyptic-utopianinsurgency elements.A
traditionalistinsurgencyisone thatseekstorestore a political systemfromthe recentordistantpast. viii
IS’traditionalistsentimentscanbe seeninitsdesire torecreate acaliphate thatwas destroyedwhen
the OttomanEmpire was dissolved. The OttomanEmpire caliphate wasdrasticallydifferentthatthe one
that IS envisions. ix
Unlikethe OttomanEmpire,the IScaliphate followstakfiridoctrine,which proclaims
people tobe apostatesbecause of theirsins.The ISiscommittedtopurifyingthe worldbykillingvast
numbersof people.The lackof objective reportingfromitsterritorymakesthe true extentof the
slaughterunknowable,butsocial-mediapostsfromthe regionsuggestthatindividualexecutions
happenmore or lesscontinually,andmassexecutionseveryfew weeks.Muslim“apostates”are the
mostcommon victims.Exemptedfromautomaticexecution,itappears,are Christianswhodonotresist
theirnewgovernment.Baghdadipermitsthemtolive,aslongastheypay a special tax,knownasthe
jizya,andacknowledge theirsubjugation. IScanalsobe categorizedasa somewhatapocalyptic-utopian
insurgencybecause itsfollowers believethata battle betweenIS andthe forcesof “Rome” will usherin
the apocalypse.x
The Islamic State’s Strategy
IS strategycan be summarizedasa military-focusone,withglobalambitionsbutanimmediate
concentrationonIraq andSyria. A military-focusstrategygivesprimacytomilitaryactionand
subordinatespoliticalaction.Proponentsof the militaryfocusbelievethatpopularsupporteitheris
3. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
3
alreadysufficientorwill be aby-productof militaryvictories.The Cuban revolutionledbyFidel Castro
exemplifiesamilitary-focusinsurgentstrategy. xi
ThisISstrategywasan amazingsuccessuntil the U.S.
decidedtostart militaryactionagainstIS.WithitseffortstogainterritoryinSyriaand Iraq beingstymied
by U.S.,Iraqi,and Kurdefforts,itappearsthat ISis expandingits strategiceffortsthroughworldwide
terroristattacks.ISISclaimedresponsibilityforthe Parisattackson November13,2015, an IS affiliate
claimingcreditforthe downingof a Russianpassengerplane overEgypt onOctober31, 2015, anda
bombinginLebanonthatkilledmore than40 people onNovember12, 2015. xii
Thisshiftinstrategymay
be causedby the increaseddifficultyinfightinginSyriaandIraq, or itmay justbe the waythat IS is
tryingto entice countriestoinvade sothatitcan fightthe apocalypticbattle thatitenvisions.
Althoughthe mediaportraythe IslamicState asa religion-basedpolitical movement,whichitis,the
more fundamental basisforunderstandingIS istheirperceptual andaspirationalgeographicendgameof
a caliphate.Theirnarrative involveshistorical geographicandculturallyrelevantregions,including
Khorasan,an area spanningpartsof Iran, AfghanistanandTurkmenistan. xiii
Figure 1: IS geographic goal for territorial control by 2020.xiv
The Islamic State’s Environment
The Institute forthe Studyof War map of ISIS (September15,2015) showsthatIS supportand control
zonesencompasscentral andeasternSyria,aswell aswesternandcentral Iraq.xv
Thisarea includesthe
large portionsof the Euphratesand TigrisrivervalleysinbothSyriaandIraq. In Syriaand Iraq, ISIShas
alreadytakencontrol of oil fields,waterandagricultural areas.Inspite of theirmassivevirtual recruiting
effortsandreligious-political characterization,muchof the ISIScampaigniscenteredonhumanand
physical geography.xvi
Inspite of theirtenuouscontrol,ISIShasdividedtheirareaof administrationin
4. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
4
Syriaand Iraq intoprovinceswithleadershipbyregional governmenttocontrol the people and
resourceswithinthose provinces. xvii
Figure 2: Institute for the Study of War, ISIS Sanctuary, September 15, 2015
IS isfightingagroundwar inside Iraqand Syriaonthree typesof terrain:deserts,cities,andsuburban
areas.IS favorsmaneuverwarfare inopendeserts,allowingIStoattack citiesimmediatelyadjacentto
desertsfrommultipledirections,whichIraqi newssourcesoftenterm“attacksfrommultiple axes.”ISIS
alsospecializesininsidiousurbanoperations,wherebyISISinfiltratesenemydefenseswithinlarge cities,
attacks securityforceswithguerillatactics,andterrorizespopulationstochallengethe state’sabilityto
provide security.Anadditional signature thatemergedinAQI’s2006 campaignwasa “Belt”offensive,
wherebyISISdesignedawayto maneuveraroundlarge citiesandinfiltrate thembyestablishingsectors
of responsibilityinthe surroundingsuburbanterrainandestablishingstagingareasthere.The physical
terraininIraq and Syriadictateshowwell IScan applyitsvariouswarfare techniquestoeachobjective
(see Figure 3below).xviii
5. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
5
Figure 3: ISIS’s Hybridized Warfarexix
The political geographyof SyriaandIraq isa verypermissive environmentforISto thrive. Sunni
disenfranchisementinbothIraqand Syriacreateda vacuum that the IS hasexploited.InIraq,a Sunni
minoritywassidelinedfromnational politicsafterthe UnitedStatesoustedSaddamHussein,aSunni,in
2003. InSyria,a civil wareruptedin2011 pittingthe rulingminorityAlawis,aShiaoffshoot,againstthe
primarilySunni opposition,spawningsectarianviolence. However,afterrapidexpansionthroughIraqin
much of 2014, IS seemedtorunup againstitslimitsasitpushedupagainstmajority KurdishandShia
Arab regions,where itfacedgreaterresistance fromIraqi forcesandlocal populationsalongwithU.S.-
ledair strikes.Itsmilitantshave failedtoadvance onBaghdador the Kurdishcapital,Erbil.xx
The Islamic State’s Popular Support
Twitteriscrowdedwithpeople who supportandsympathize withIS andwhoare interestedinfollowing
it.It’s a phenomenonwe’veseennothinglike since al-Qaedaattacks. Whenawomantriesto sneak
fromSaudi Arabiato Yemenalongwithherkidsinorder to go toSyria andwork withthe jihadists, then
such an act representsIS’capabilitytomobilizesupport.ItalsomeansthatIS has agentsthat recruit
membersforit.Whenthe numberof WesternMuslimswhojoinedthe fightinginSyriareachesthe
hundreds,thenwe are practicallytalkingaboutthe successof ISIS,the global organizationandnotjusta
groupenthusiastictothe Syriancause.xxi
Howeverenthusiasticthese active ISsupportersare,they
appearto be a small portionof the populationof MuslimandWesterncountries. Ina recentpoll,IShad
foundthe mostsupportin the Africancountryof Nigeriaat14% of the respondents.Eventhere though
6. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
6
had 66% of respondentswhohadanunfavorable opinionof IS.xxii
The people whorespondedfavorably
to IS inthispoll mayhave onlybeenthe active supportersof IShowever.There maybe avast greater
amountthat passivelysupportIS.These passive supportersdo necessarily notacton theirfeelings,but
theywantIS to succeed.Viewersof Al JazeeraArabicwere askedinananonymouspoll 'Doyousupport
ISISvictoriesinIraqand Syria?'The poll attractedmore than36,000 votes,withastaggering81% in
supportof the ISISand only19% rejectingthe group. Mostof Al JazeeraArabic'saudience comesfrom
the Sunni Muslimworld,withhighviewership inEgyptandSaudi Arabia. Michael WeissandHassan
Hassan explainthe strange allureof ISIStomanySunni Muslims,“Those whosaytheyare adherentsof
ISISas a strictlypolitical projectmake upa weightypercentage of itslowercadresandsupportbase.For
people inthiscategory,ISISisthe onlyoptiononofferforSunni Muslimswhohave beendealtadismal
handin the past decade — firstlosingcontrol of Iraq andnow sufferingnationwideatrocities,which
manyequate to genocide,inSyria.Theyviewthe struggle inthe Middle Eastasone betweenSunnisand
an Iranian-ledcoalition,andtheyjustifyultraviolence asanecessarytool tocounterbalance ordeter
Shiahegemony.Thiscategoryoftenincludesthe highlyeducated.”xxiii
ThispublicsupportforISISextendsintoWesterncountriesaswell.Inasurveydone byICMresearchin
2014 (before the Parisattacks),foundthatnearly16% of French citizenshad a favorable view of ISIS.
That 16% isevenhigherthan the 13% inGaza who were foundtoview ISISfavorably,inasimilarpoll.
Evenmore alarmingisthat more than a quarter (27%) of Frenchcitizensbetweenthe agesof 18 and 24
were foundtosympathize withISIS.xxiv
Organization and Unity
IS has quietlybuiltaneffective managementstructure of mostlymiddle-agedIraqisoverseeing
departmentsof finance,arms,local governance,militaryoperationsandrecruitment.Atthe topthe
organizationisthe self-declaredleaderof all Muslims,Abu Bakral-Baghdadi,aradical chief executive
officerof sorts,whohandpickedmanyof hisdeputiesfromamongthe menhe metwhile aprisonerin
Americancustodyatthe CampBucca detentioncenteradecade ago.He had a preference formilitary
men,andso hisleadershipteamincludesmanyofficersfromSaddamHussein’slong-disbandedarmy.
Theyinclude formerIraqi officerslike Fadel al-Hayali,the topdeputyforIraq,whoonce servedMr.
Husseinasa lieutenantcolonel,andAdnanal-Sweidawi,aformerlieutenantcolonel whonow headsthe
group’smilitarycouncil. Mr.Baghdadi’sdeputiesinclude 12walis,orlocal rulers;a three-manwar
cabinet;andeightotherswhomanage portfolioslike finance,prisonersandrecruitment.xxv
ISappearsto
be quite unifiedbecause there are relatively few newsreportsof defectorsfromthis large
organization.xxvi
External Support
IS doesnotappearto have official supportfromexternalcountries.Saudi Arabiahasdeniedaccusations
that itis supportingISandhas providedabase to train moderate rebel forces.However, wealthySaudis
have sentdonationstothe group andsome 2,500 Saudi menhave travelledtoSyriatofight.xxvii
The
mostimportantexternal supportthatISreceivesisinthe formof fighterstravellingtoSyriaand Iraq to
fightforit. The largesttotal number(accordingtothe International Centre forthe Studyof
RadicalizationandPolitical Violence) IsfromSaudi Arabia.Belgiumhasthe highestnumberof fighters
7. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
7
percapita of anyWesternnation.AbdelhamidAbaaoud,aBelgian-bornseniorIslamicState operative,
was suspectedtobe the keymastermindbehindthe coordinatedattacksonParisinNovember.He was
killedinaraidat an apartmentbuildinginaParis suburbsix daysfollowingthe attacks.France isthe
biggestsource of fightersinEurope,contributing1,200. Governmentfigureshave putthe numberof
fighterscloserto1,600. The U.S.is verylow on thislistwithonlyabout100 fightershave come fromthe
U.S. Anestimated1,700 fightershave come fromRussia.Most of these are thoughtto be from
ChechnyaandDagestan,accordingto Russia’sFederal SecurityService.xxviii
U.S. Efforts against the Islamic State
On September10, 2014 PresidentObamaannouncedhisstrategytodefeatIS:“we will degrade,and
ultimatelydestroy,ISILthroughacomprehensive andsustainedcounter-terrorismstrategy.”This
strategyentailsfourelements: A systematiccampaignof airstrikes,increasedsupporttoIraqand
Kurdishforces,aswell assupportto SyrianoppositiontoIS,counterterrorismeffortstopreventterrorist
attacks,and humanitarianeffortstosupportthose displacedbyIS.xxix
In September2014, the thendirectorof the US National CounterterrorismCenter(NCTC),Matthew
Olsen,saidIScontrolledmuchof the Tigris-Euphratesriverbasin - anarea similarinsize tothe United
Kingdom,orabout81,000 square miles.A yearlater,the US defensedepartmentdeclaredthatIS
frontlinesinmuchof northernandcentral Iraq andnorthernSyriahad beenpushedbacksignificantlyby
US-ledcoalitionairstrikesandgroundoperations.IScouldnolongeroperate freelyinroughly20-25%of
populatedareasinIraqand Syriawhere itonce could,it said.The defense departmentestimatedthatIS
had lostapproximately5,790-7,720 square milesof territoryinIraq,or about30-37% of whatit
controlledinAugust2014, and 770-1,540 square milesinSyria,orabout5-10%. Despite this,IShasbeen
able to capture newterritoryof strategicvalue overthe same period,includingthe cityof Ramadi in
Iraq's Anbarprovince andPalmyrainSyria'sHoms province. xxx
Soyoucouldsaythat the airstrikeshave
beensomewhatsuccessful indegradingISabilitytogainandholdterritory.
In February2015, US DirectorforNational Intelligence JamesClappersaidIScouldmuster"somewhere
inthe range between20,000 and 32,000 fighters"inIraqand Syria.xxxi
The U.S. AirForce has firedoff
more than 20,000 missilesandbombssince the U.S.bombingcampaignagainstISISbegan,accordingto
the Air Force,leadingtodepletedmunitionsstockpilesandcallstoramp up fundingandweapons
production.xxxii
Thiswouldseemtosupportthe U.S.contentionthatthere hadbeen"substantial
attrition"inIS ranks since US-ledcoalitionairstrikesbeganinAugust2014. InJune 2015, US Deputy
Secretaryof State AntonyBlinkensaidmore than10,000 ISfightershadbeenkilled. xxxiii
While evidence supportsthe contentionthat U.S.airstrikeshave hadsome successindegradingIS,some
feel thatthey are not effectivebecause the U.S.haswantedtoavoidcollateral damage.There isalsoan
elementof miscommunicationthat'slimitinganadvance byIraqi troops.Shiite fighterswiththe Popular
MobilizationCommittee inTikritinApril saidtheyneverknew whenorwhere the airstrikeswouldfall,
whichpreventedthemfrommovingintonew territorytofightISIS. General Joe Dunford,chairmanof
the JointChiefsof Staff,saidanewplanwill aimto fix that.If U.S. Special Forcesare on the frontline,
theycouldnot onlycall inairstrikes,butpassonintelligencetosoldiersonthe ground,closingthe
communicationgap.Butmore than anything,analystssay,the embeddingof U.S.troopsonthe front
8. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
8
line couldimprove the accuracyof airstrikes,whichcouldmake asignificantdifference incombating
ISIS. "We have neededbettertargetinginIraqforquite some time,thatisclear," Daniel Serwer,an
expertonIraq andSyria at the Middle East Institute said."Thisplanwouldnotonlyimprove the
accuracy of Americanbombing, butitwouldenableit." The U.S.isplanningtohave a limitedamountof
special operationforcesandmilitaryadvisersembedwithIraqi forcesonthe frontline toensure the
logisticsthere are effective,intelligence isaccurate andarms are delivered tothe Sunni tribesefficiently,
Dunfordsaid.According tohis briefing,the planwill make fightingonthe frontline more efficient,a
boostthe Iraqi soldiershave neededsince the rapidexpansionof ISISin2014.xxxiv
But the introductionof U.S.troops on the front line couldangerthe Shiite forcesthatare largelybacked
by Iran,a countrythat iscurrentlycounteringthe U.S.fightinneighboringSyriabyproppingup
PresidentBasharAssad."Ihave seensome signsthatthere are a few battalions[in the Popular
MobilizationCommittee] thatare opposedtothe plan,"saidAlirezaNader,anexpertonIranian
relationsinthe Middle Eastat RANDCorporation,a global thinktank. xxxv
The U.S hasstruggledtofindreliable partnersagainstthe IslamicState onthe ground inSyria otherthan
the Kurdsand an array of Arab-dominatedgroupsthe CIA hasarmedto fight Bashar al-Assad.Inearly
October2015, the Obama administrationannouncedthata $500 millionPentagonprogramtotrain
anti-ISSyrianrebelshad largelyfailedandwasbeingrestructured.The White House'sapproachnow
seemstobe to supportthe Kurdsand nationalistArabsinthe northasintenselyaspossible.It
announcedonOctober30, 2015 that the U.S. woulddeploydozensof special operations forcesto
northernSyriato coordinate airstrikesandarmssupply. Thisstrategyhassome risksbecause Turkeyis
nervousthatthe successof the SyrianKurdswill inspire KurdsinTurkeytotryand carve outtheirown
mini states,anditpointedtothe Euphratesas a redline whenannouncingits recentattacksonthe
SyrianKurds.AnkarafearsSyrianKurdishforceswill connectthe areastheycontrol innortheastSyriato
theirthirdregion,orcanton,in the northwest,therebycreatingapowerful Kurdish corridoralongthe
Turkey-Syriaborder.xxxvi
There isa greatdeal of criticismconcerningthe currentU.S.counterterrorismpolicy. CaptainRobert
Newson,aNavySEAL whoservedasdirectorof the JointInteragencyTaskForce-CounterTerrorism, told
an intervieweratWestPoint’sCombatingTerrorismCenterthat“drone strikes,mannedairstrikes,and
special operationsraids…buyspace and time.Butby themselvestheyare onlyadelayingaction,and
everywhere Ihave been,inIraq,Afghanistan,Yemen,everymilitarypersonupanddownthe chainof
commandacknowledgesthis.This‘CTconcept’ — the solutionthatsome people championwhere the
mainor whole effortisdrone strikesandspecial operationsraids — isa fantasy.”A StimsonCenter
commissiononU.S. drone policywithretiredGen.JohnAbizaidconcludedinJune 2014 that“the Obama
administration’sheavyrelianceontargetedkillingsasapillarof US counterterrorismstrategyrestson
questionable assumptions,andrisksincreasinginstabilityandescalatingconflicts.Whiletactical strikes
may have helpedkeepthe homelandfree of majorterroristattacks,existingevidence indicatesthat
bothSunni and ShiaIslamicextremistgroupshave growninscope,lethalityandinfluence inthe broader
area of operationsinthe Middle East,Africaand SouthAsia.” xxxvii
Thisreportfindsthat the defeatof ISISmustaddresstwoCentersof Gravity.The firstis a classical
militarycenterof gravitythatISISusesto wrestphysical control frommodernstatesandholdwhatit
9. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
9
has gained.The secondISIScenterof gravityisa political capacitytoprovide essential state functions
withinthe territorythatISIScontrols.ISISstrengthemanatesfromthe abilitytotranslate military
control intopolitical control,andtherebytoclaimthatthe Caliphate ismanifest.A strategytodefeat
ISISmust breakthissynergyamongthe militaryandpolitical operationsof ISISanditslayered
leadership.The U.S.mustconsiderwaysto accomplishthisinordertopropel the strategic defeatof ISIS.
DestroyingitsCritical Capabilities,denyingitsCritical OpportunitiesandCritical Requirements,and
exploitingitsCritical Vulnerabilitiesare additional componenteffectsthatmustbe synchronizedinorder
to achieve thisstrategiceffect.
Knowingthatitwouldtake tensof thousands,perhapshundredsof thousandsof troopstodefeatISand
holditsterrainfor an indeterminate amountof time,Iagree withGraeme Woodof the Atlanticthat
“giveneverythingwe knowaboutthe IslamicState,continuingtoslowlybleeditappearsthe bestof bad
militaryoptions.”xxxviii
Iconcur withPresidentObama’sstatementthat "ISILisnot goingto pose an
existential threattous,theyare a dangerousorganizationlikeal Qaedawas,butwe have hardenedour
defenses,ourhomelandhasneverbeenmore protectedbymore effective intelligence andlaw
enforcementprofessionalsateverylevel thantheyare now.The coordinationismuchbetterthanitis
now.If you lookat the numberof successful terroristattacksthathave occurred,you know,we have
disruptedalotof them,butthe dangersare still there andsowe just have tokeepthingsin
perspective"xxxix
Thatbeingsaid,Ialsoagree that more can be done shortof an invasionof Syriaand Iraq
of tensof thousandsof U.S. troops.I agree withthe Institute forthe Studyof War findingsthata
strategywherebyISISremainsincontrol of Mosul,Raqqa,andotherurban centersinIraq and Syriawill
fall shortof the desiredoutcome.Settlingforlesseraimsor resolvingtodonothingare equal.The threat
of ISISisreal and expanding,butISISisalsovulnerable atitspresentpolitical formationstage.xl
The onlyway to defeatISisto guarantee a groundforce that will occupy,secure,andrebuild Syria,and
Iraq to a lesserextent.More limitedsolutionsare insufficienttoshape groundconditionsthatpromote
stabilityandreduce the opportunityforgroupslike IStoremain.The difficultyinaccomplishingthis isin
the detailshowever.The U.S.mustcontinue toworkwithlocal forcesinSyria andIraq to accomplishthis
goal because the U.S. isnot a suitable unilateral occupyingforce because anti-U.S.sentimentinthese
countrieshasrisentostaggeringlevels.Iranisalsonot suitable orcapable,asdemonstratedbyits
inabilitytohelpthe AssadregimewinitswarinSyria,itstactical inabilitytoclearISISfromTikritin Iraq,
itsstate sponsorshipof terrorism, anditsstrategicobjectivestodestroy otherstatesinthe region.The
Arab coalitioncurrentlyfightingthe HouthisinYemenislikewise unsuitable,giventhe likelihoodthatit
wouldalsocondone persecutionof minorityShi’apopulations.The Arabcoalitionisalsoriskybecause it
treatsIraq and Syriaas battle groundsfora sectarianwaragainstIran insteadof unifiedstate-building
missionsthatare necessarytodefeatIS.xli
I agree withthe Democraticpresidential candidateHillaryClintonwhenshe saidthat "We needtolay
the foundationfora secondSunni awakening,"inherNovember19Council onForeignRelationsspeech.
"We needtoput sustainedpressure onthe governmentinBaghdadtoget itspolitical house inorder,
move forwardwithnational reconciliation,andfinallystandupa national guard.Baghdadneedsto
accept,evenembrace,armingSunni andKurdishforcesinthe waragainst[IS].But if Baghdadwon’tdo
that, the coalitionshoulddosodirectly."xlii
Ithinkthata verypublicdirectarmingof SunnisandKurds
10. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
10
wouldplace us on the side of the majorityof the Islamicworld.Itmightplace a wedge betweenmany
Jihadistintellectuals,whowilllikelysupportISregardlessof ouractions,andthe vastmajorityof Sunni
IslamwhopassivelysupportIS.The U.S.shouldarticulate a policythatSunniswouldreceive protection
and autonomy(if notindependence)inanypost-AssadregimeinSyriaandIraq in conjunctionwiththis
supplyof armaments.If the U.S. can be seenas the championof Sunni rights,thiscouldsignificantly
reduce the appeal thatIS has to potential Sunni recruits.
i Irshaid,F.(2012, December2).Isis,Isil,ISor Daesh?One group,manynames. BBC Monitoring.
Retrievedfromhttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27994277.
ii
Oneill,BardE.(2005). Insurgency &Terrorism: From
Revolution to Apocalypse.Dulles,VA:PotomacBooks,Inc.
iii
What is ‘IslamicState’?(2012, December2). InBBC News Retrieved December5,2015, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144.
iv
What is ‘IslamicState’?(2012, December2).InBBC News Retrieved December5,2015, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144.
v
Oneill,BardE.(2005). Insurgency &Terrorism: From
Revolution to Apocalypse.Dulles, VA:PotomacBooks,Inc.
vi
Tognotti,Chris(2014, September2) WhatDoesISIS Want,Exactly?The Terrorists'StatedGoal Has
BeenMade. Bustle, Retrievedfrom http://www.bustle.com/articles/38192-what-does-isis-want-exactly-
the-terrorists-stated-goal-has-been-made-clear
vii
Oneill,BardE. (2005). Insurgency &Terrorism: From
Revolution to Apocalypse.Dulles,VA:PotomacBooks,Inc.
viii
Oneill,BardE.(2005). Insurgency &Terrorism: From
Revolution to Apocalypse.Dulles,VA:PotomacBooks,Inc.
ix
Tognotti,Chris(2014, September2) WhatDoesISIS Want,Exactly?The Terrorists'StatedGoal Has
BeenMade. Bustle, Retrievedfrom http://www.bustle.com/articles/38192-what-does-isis-want-exactly-
the-terrorists-stated-goal-has-been-made-clear
x
Wood, Graeme ( 2015, March) What ISIS ReallyWants. TheAtlantic,Retrievedfrom
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wants/384980/
xi
Oneill,BardE.(2005). Insurgency &Terrorism: From
Revolution to Apocalypse.Dulles,VA:PotomacBooks,Inc.
xii
What is ‘IslamicState’?(2012, December2). InBBC News Retrieved December5,2015, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144.
11. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
11
xiii
Medina,RichardM. and Hepner,George F.(2015) A Note onthe State of Geographyand Geospatial
Intelligence.RetrievedonDecember5,2015 from
https://www.nga.mil/MediaRoom/News/Pages/StateofGeographyandGEOINT.aspx
xiv
Burman, Jake (2015, September14) ISISWARNING:Horrifyingmapof targetcountriesitwantsto
dominate inEurope by2020. Sunday Express Retrievedfrom
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/597254/ISIS-Map-Europe-Terror-Organisation-Andrew-Hosken-
Caliphate-Abu-Musab-al-Zarqawi
xv
ISIS SANCTUARYMAP:SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 (2015, September15) Institute forthe Studyof War.
Retrieved fromhttp://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/isis-sanctuary-map-september-15-
2015
xvi
Medina,RichardM. and Hepner,George F.(2015) A Note onthe State of Geographyand Geospatial
Intelligence, NGA.RetrievedonDecember5,2015 from
https://www.nga.mil/MediaRoom/News/Pages/StateofGeographyandGEOINT.aspx
xvii
Medina,RichardM. and Hepner,George F.(2015) A Note onthe State of Geographyand Geospatial
Intelligence, NGA.RetrievedonDecember5,2015 from
https://www.nga.mil/MediaRoom/News/Pages/StateofGeographyandGEOINT.aspx
xviii
Mcfate, JessicaLewis(2015) MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 27, THE ISISDEFENSE IN IRAQAND
SYRIA:COUNTERING AN ADAPTIVEENEMY. Instituteforthe Study of War,Retrievedfrom
http://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISIS%20Defense%20in%20Iraq%20and%20Syria%20--
%20Standard.pdf
xix
Mcfate, JessicaLewis(2015) MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 27, THE ISISDEFENSE IN IRAQAND
SYRIA:COUNTERING AN ADAPTIVEENEMY. Instituteforthe Study of War,Retrievedfrom
http://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISIS%20Defense%20in%20Iraq%20and%20Syria%20--
%20Standard.pdf
xx
Laub, Zachary,and Masters, Jonathan,(2015, November16) The IslamicState. Councilon Foreign
Relations,Retrievedfromhttp://www.cfr.org/iraq/islamic-state/p14811
xxi
al-Rashed,Abdulrahman(2014,June 23) How much supportdoesISISenjoy? AlArabiya News –
Middle East.Retrievedfromhttp://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2014/06/23/How-
much-support-does-ISIS-enjoy-.html
xxii
Poushter,Jacob(2015, November17) In nationswithsignificantMuslimpopulations,muchdisdain
for ISIS. PewResearch Center.Retrievedfromhttp://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/17/in-
nations-with-significant-muslim-populations-much-disdain-for-isis/
xxiii
Al Jazeerapoll showsalarminglevelsof supportforISIS(2015, May 26) In The Interpreter.Retrieved
December6,2015 from http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/05/26/Al-Jazeera-poll-shows-
alarming-levels-of-support-for-ISIS.aspx
xxiv
Joseph,Dan(2014, August27) 27% of FrenchYouth SupportISIS. Cnsnews.com RetrievedDecember
6, 2015 http://www.cnsnews.com/mrctv-blog/dan-joseph/27-french-youth-support-isis
12. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
12
xxv
Hubbard,Ben andShmitt,Eric (2014, August27) MilitarySkill andTerroristTechniqueFuel Successof
ISIS, The NewYork Times. Retrievedfrom
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/28/world/middleeast/army-know-how-seen-as-factor-in-isis-
successes.html
xxvi
Tasch, Barbara (2015, September25) Dozensof ISISdefectorsexplainedwhytheyleftthe terror
army. BusinessInsider.Retrievedfromhttp://www.businessinsider.com/dozens-of-isis-defectors-
explained-why-they-left-the-terror-army-2015-9
xxvii
IslamicState:Where keycountriesstand(2015, December3) In BBC News RetrievedDecember5,
2015, fromhttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29074514
xxviii
Shaw,JessicaMarmor (2015, December5) The countrieswhere ISISfindssupport,intwocharts.
MarketWatch.Retrievedfromhttp://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-countries-where-isis-finds-
support-in-two-charts-2015-12-05
xxix
Watch Obama’sISISSpeechandRead the Full Transcript(2014, September10).In Heavy Retrieved
December5,2015, from http://heavy.com/news/2014/09/obama-isis-speech-transcript-video-
september-10-2014/
xxx
What is ‘IslamicState’?(2015, December2). InBBC News Retrieved December5,2015, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144.
xxxi What is‘IslamicState’?(2015, December2). In BBC News Retrieved December5,2015, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144.
xxxii
Diamond,JeremyandStarr,Barbara (2015, December4) The U.S.is runningoutof bombstodrop on
ISIS. CNN.Retrievedfromhttp://www.cnn.com/2015/12/04/politics/air-force-20000-bombs-missiles-
isis/
xxxiii
Diamond,JeremyandStarr,Barbara (2015, December4) The U.S.is runningoutof bombs todrop on
ISIS. CNN.Retrievedfromhttp://www.cnn.com/2015/12/04/politics/air-force-20000-bombs-missiles-
isis/
xxxiv
Banco, Erin(2015, October 28) US To SendMilitaryToFrontline InAnbarProvince,Iraq,ToSupport
Iraqi Troops InFightAgainstISIS. InternationalBusinessTimes.Retrievedfrom
http://www.ibtimes.com/us-send-military-frontline-anbar-province-iraq-support-iraqi-troops-fight-
against-2159293
xxxv
Banco, Erin(2015, October 28) US To SendMilitaryToFrontline InAnbarProvince,Iraq,ToSupport
Iraqi Troops InFightAgainstISIS. InternationalBusinessTimes.Retrievedfrom
http://www.ibtimes.com/us-send-military-frontline-anbar-province-iraq-support-iraqi-troops-fight-
against-2159293
xxxvi
Jones,SophiaandAhmed,AkbarShahid(2015, November6) Here'sThe LatestPotentiallyFatal Flaw
In Obama'sISISStrategyWashington'sincreasingcozinesswiththe SyrianKurdshasmade Turkey
nervous. TheWorld Post.Retrievedfrom http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/american-airstrikes-
from-turkey-help-kurds_563ba049e4b0307f2cac7267
13. Matthew Gulino December13, 2015
13
xxxvii
Brooks,Rosa (2015, June 24) U.S.CounterterrorismStrategyIsthe Definitionof Insanity. Foreign
Policy. Retrievedfrom http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/24/u-s-counterterrorism-strategy-is-the-
definition-of-insanity/
xxxviii Wood,Graeme ( 2015, March) What ISISReallyWants. The Atlantic,Retrievedfrom
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wants/384980/
xxxix
PresidentObamadefendshisstrategyagainstISIS(2015, December3) CBS News.Retrievedon
December6,2015 from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-obama-isis-threat-paris-style-terror-
attack-us/
xl
Lewis,JessicaD.(2014) The IslamicState:A Counter-StrategyforaCounter-State. Instituteforthe
Study of War RetrievedonDecember6,2015 from http://www.understandingwar.org/report/islamic-
state-counter-strategy-counter-state
xli xli
Mcfate, JessicaLewis(2015) MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 27, THE ISISDEFENSE IN IRAQAND
SYRIA:COUNTERING AN ADAPTIVEENEMY. Instituteforthe Study of War,Retrievedfrom
http://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISIS%20Defense%20in%20Iraq%20and%20Syria%20--
%20Standard.pdf
xlii
Pecquet,Julian(2015,December1) US threatenstobypassBaghdad,arm SunnisagainstIS. Al-
Monitor.Retrievedfromhttp://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/12/us-threat-bypass-
baghdad-arm-sunnis-fight-isis.html#