This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to better understand the true nature of the threat the world is facing today from what has become one of the most powerful militant organizations.
The Islamist State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has skyrocketed from relative obscurity to worldwide notoriety with its recent seizure of vast stretches of territory across Syria and Iraq, as well as its grisly and inhumane tactics of beheadings, crucifixions, and mass executions.
Its activities are so harsh and brutal, even for al-Qaeda’s standards, that it has been disowned by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri for its uncontrollable aggression. In late June of 2014, it shocked both jihadists and intelligence analysts alike when it announced the creation of an Islamic Caliphate (Islamic state) in the territories it has seized in Syria and Iraq. Since this declaration, the group has engaged in a brutal campaign of territorial expansion, establishing strict rule in key cities across the region, taking over dams, oil fields, and border crossings, and orchestrating suicide attacks, car bombings, and prison breaks. Led by a mysterious figure named Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group has emerged as the most committed and fanatical Islamist organization operating on the Syrian and Iraq battlefields.
With the recent launch of a U.S.-led international intervention in Iraq, it has become exceedingly important that we fully comprehend the nature and scope of the threat posed by this terrorist organization. How did ISIS develop into the savage Islamist group it is today – one that can take over entire cities and defeat armed forces several times its size? What is the nature of its relationship with al-Qaeda’s core leadership? What are its beliefs and goals, and who are the leaders who give it strength? How did it become the richest militant Islamist group in the world, and how does it continue to finance itself? And finally, what makes ISIS and the threat it poses so unique and unprecedented?
The questions raised above are answered in great detail, giving a concise yet comprehensive overview of ISIS and its operations in Syria and Iraq, including:
- The history of ISIS starting with the notorious Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
- The ideology, beliefs, and tactics of ISIS
- The key leaders of ISIS
- Fundraising methods the group employs
- The exact nature of the threat ISIS poses
