1. Syria and Iraq did not exist as unified states until after World War 1 when the Ottoman Empire collapsed. The British and French divided up the former Ottoman lands and established Iraq and Syria under their influence. 2. When establishing the new states, the British and French did not consider the religious and ethnic divisions between Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, and Alawites. This led to minority groups coming to power in both countries. 3. The current conflict has roots in the tensions between Sunni and Shia groups, as well as aspirations for autonomy among the Kurds. The rise of ISIS aims to establish a Sunni state incorporating parts of Syria and Iraq.