Introduction
The Islamist army of the Islamic State, known by the acronym ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), has quickly become popular in the Near and Middle East and parts of North Africa. The group, also known as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), has become one of the most well-known and brutal terrorist organizations in recent history (Beccaro, 2018). ISIS has conducted numerous terrorist attacks around the world and has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. Therefore, it is crucial to research the history, goals, and threats of ISIS and the methods of combating them.
ISIS: The Brand
History
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has become one of the most well-known terrorist organizations in recent history. The origins of the ISIS brand can be traced back to the Iraq War, which began in 2003 (Gerges, 2021, p. 74). Following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, a power vacuum was created in Iraq, which allowed for the growth of various terrorist organizations.
One of these groups was Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which Abu Musab al-Zarqawi led. In 2010, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who had previously been a commander in Al-Qaeda in Iraq, became the leader of the group. Under his leadership, the group became increasingly radical and violent, and in 2013, it announced the creation of ISIS (Gerges, 2021, p. 76). The group quickly gained control of large parts of Syria and Iraq and declared a caliphate in the territory it controlled.
ISIS Brand Elements
Extreme Violence
One of the key elements of the ISIS brand is its extreme violence. The group has become known for its brutal tactics, including beheadings, crucifixions, and the use of child soldiers. Moreover, the group has committed numerous terrorist attacks around the world aimed at both civilians and government officials (Bloom & Daymon, 2018).
The Use of Social Media
Another essential element of the ISIS brand is its use of social media. The group has used platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to spread its message and recruit new members. Additionally, ISIS produces enormous propaganda material, including videos depicting fighters engaged in combat and videos demonstrating the group’s violence.
The Caliphate
Furthermore, the concept of the caliphate is central to the ISIS brand. This concept has deep roots in Islamic history and is designed to appeal to Muslims worldwide who feel disenfranchised by the current political and social order. The idea of a caliphate has helped to create a sense of purpose and unity among ISIS fighters and supporters (Bloom & Daymon, 2018).
Internationalization
Similarly, ISIS is also persistently working to internationalize its brand. The group has attracted thousands of foreign fighters worldwide, who have traveled to Syria and Iraq to join the fight. These soldiers bring various experiences and practices that have helped create a diverse and dynamic organization (Bloom & Daymon, 2018). Thus, the organization’s propaganda has also inspired numerous terrorist attacks worldwide, reinforcing its brand as a global threat.
Evolution of the ISIS Brand
The ISIS brand developed with time because the team adapted to changing circumstances. In 2014, the group declared it had established a caliphate in the Middle East and began focusing more heavily on governance and administration (Gerges, 2021, p. 85). Therefore, this shift was reflected in the group’s propaganda, which began to highlight its efforts to provide basic services and establish social order in the areas under its control.
In 2015, ISIS conducted several high-profile terrorist attacks around the world, including the bombing of a Russian airliner and terrorist attacks in Paris. However, in 2017, ISIS suffered a major defeat when it was forced from its last hold in Raqqa, Syria (Gerges, 2021, p. 89). This marked the end of the group’s territorial control and forced it to adapt its brand again.
The Contrasts Between ISIS and Al Qaeda
Ideological Approach
ISIS and Al Qaeda are two of the most well-known and dangerous terrorist organizations in the world. While they share some similarities, such as their use of violence and their focus on creating a global Islamic caliphate, there are also significant differences between the two groups (Beccaro, 2018). One key distinction between ISIS and Al Qaeda is their ideological approach. Al-Qaeda’s primary goal is to displace Western influence from the Islamic world, while ISIS is more focused on creating a caliphate and governing territory according to Islamic law (Beccaro, 2018). Moreover, al-Qaida has also focused more on attacks on Western targets, while ISIS targets a wider range of victims, including Muslims who do not support their goals.
Management and Structure
Another key difference between the two groups is their leadership and structure. Al Qaeda is more decentralized, with a network of affiliates and supporters worldwide. The group is led by Ayman al-Zawahiri, who succeeded Osama bin Laden after he died in 2011 (Beccaro, 2018). In contrast, ISIS is more centralized, with a hierarchical leadership structure and a clear chain of command. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi headed the band until he died in 2019; since then, it has been chaired by Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurashi (Beccaro, 2018).
Tactics and Strategy
In addition, ISIS and al-Qaida are different in tactics and strategy. Al-Qaida is known to have conducted large-scale attacks, such as the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In comparison, ISIS concentrated more on smaller-scale assaults such as suicide bombings and shootings (Beccaro, 2018). Further, al-Qaida has also focused on building alliances with other militant groups, while ISIS has emphasized developing its brand and image.
Regionality
Meanwhile, another crucial distinction between the two groups is their regional focus. Al-Qaida has centered more on committing terrorist attacks in the West, while ISIS has focused more on establishing a caliphate in the Middle East (Beccaro, 2018). Although both groups have conducted terrorist actions around the world, their primary areas of focus are different. Al-Qaida has been more active in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while ISIS has been especially active in Syria and Iraq.
The Islamic State’s Goals and Desires
Establishment of a Territorial Caliphate
The group’s ultimate goal is establishing a global Islamic caliphate governed by strict Sharia law. However, in the short term, ISIS has several specific objectives that it aspires to achieve. Firstly, ISIS aims to establish a territorial caliphate in the Middle East, governed by its interpretation of Islamic law. The group initially reached this purpose in 2014, when it seized control of large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq (Krona & Pennington, 2019, p. 102). Nevertheless, since then, its territorial holdings have been significantly reduced, and it no longer controls important population centers.
Territorial Expansion
Secondly, ISIS strives to expand its territory beyond its current holdings. The organization has launched numerous attacks on neighboring states, such as Turkey and Jordan, and has sought to establish a foothold in Libya, Afghanistan, and other countries (Krona & Pennington, 2019). However, international efforts to contain the group have mainly thwarted its expansion measures.
Destruction of Enemies
Third, ISIS tends to destroy its enemies, including those who do not adhere to its extremist interpretation of Sunni Islam. This ranges from Muslims who do not support their cause to Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslims. The group has conducted numerous attacks against these groups and seeks to eliminate them from its territories.
Destabilization of the West
Fourth, ISIS attempts to destabilize the West, which it views as threatening its objectives (Krona & Pennington, 2019). The organization has committed numerous violent attacks against Western targets and aims to inspire other extremists worldwide to terrorize their own countries.
Global Spread of Extremist Ideology
Finally, ISIS tries to spread its extremist ideology worldwide, using social media and other channels to recruit new fighters and supporters (Krona & Pennington, 2019). The organization considers itself the vanguard of a new Islamic revolution and aspires to encourage others to become part of its mission.
Summary
The Islamic State’s main desire is to establish a global Islamic caliphate governed by its interpretation of strict Sharia law. The group believes it is the vanguard of a new Islamic revolution. It seeks to establish a territorial caliphate in the Middle East, serving as a launchpad for its global ambitions (Krona & Pennington, 2019). Therefore, the organization desires to expand its territory beyond its current holdings, eliminate its enemies, destabilize the West, and propagate its extremist ideology.
The Modern Threats of ISIS
Nowadays, ISIS continues to pose a serious challenge to global security, although it has suffered significant territorial losses in recent years. ISIS remains engaged in terrorist attacks around the world, using a variety of tactics, including suicide bombings, shootings, and vehicle attacks. These operations are intended to cause mass casualties, spread fear and instability, and further the group’s ideological and political goals (Bloom & Daymon, 2018).
In addition, ISIS remains active on social media and other online platforms, using them to recruit new fighters and supporters and spread its extremist ideology. The organization continues to exploit grievances and sectarian tensions in various regions to radicalize people and recruit them into its ranks. Although ISIS has lost significant parts of its territory, it still maintains a presence in various parts of the world, including Iraq, Syria, and other countries (Bloom & Daymon, 2018). The organization remains engaged in guerrilla attacks and occasional offensive operations, threatening local security and stability.
The Global ISIS
ISIS has gone global by establishing a network of affiliated groups and sympathizers in various parts of the world, including in Southeast Asia, North Africa, and Europe. The group’s ideology, which is based on a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam, has resonated with some individuals and groups who share its extremist views and goals (Speckhard & Ellenberg, 2020).
One of the key ways for ISIS to reach the international level is through the use of social media and other online platforms to recruit new fighters and supporters, spread its extremist ideology, and coordinate attacks. The organization employs these platforms to create a virtual caliphate to target a global audience and inspire others to join its cause.
In addition to its online activities, ISIS has also established a physical presence in various parts of the world. The group has affiliates and supporters in countries such as Libya, Yemen, Nigeria, and the Philippines, among others, and has committed attacks and launched offensives in these and other countries (Speckhard & Ellenberg, 2020). Thus, the global nature of ISIS’ activities has made it a significant threat to global security.
The Strategies to Combat ISIS
The fight against ISIS requires a multifaceted approach that includes military, diplomatic, and ideological policies. Military action against ISIS has been a key component of the strategy to defeat the group. This has involved airstrikes, ground operations, and support for local partners in Iraq, Syria, and other countries where ISIS has established a presence.
Additionally, it uses a strategy of disrupting financial networks (Speckhard & Ellenberg, 2020). ISIS generates significant revenues from illegal activities such as oil smuggling, extortion, and looting. Disrupting the group’s financial networks is a crucial strategy to weaken its operations and reduce its ability to conduct attacks.
Moreover, one more strategy is to prevent the spread of extremist propaganda. ISIS has used social media and other online platforms to spread its extremist ideology and recruit new fighters and supporters. Countering this propaganda and offering alternative narratives is essential to reducing the group’s appeal (Speckhard & Ellenberg, 2020). Furthermore, the assistance of local partners, such as the Iraqi and Syrian militaries, Kurdish forces, and other groups fighting against ISIS, is essential to defeating the organization on the ground.
Conclusion
Therefore, the Islamic State has been a significant threat to global security, posing challenges to stability, safety, and human rights in many parts of the world. The evolution of the ISIS brand has been shaped by various factors, including the group’s origins in Iraq, its focus on violence and social media, and its concept of a caliphate. In addition, there are several parallels between al-Qaeda and ISIS, including their emphasis on creating an international Islamic caliphate and their use of violence.
Significant distinctions exist between the two organizations regarding their ideology, leadership, tactics and strategy, and regional focus. The Islamic State’s goals are based on its extremist interpretation of Sunni Islam and include establishing a territorial caliphate, eliminating enemies, and destabilizing. Accordingly, groups have seriously threatened global security, so efforts to counter their goals are multifaceted and include military, diplomatic, and ideological approaches.
References
Beccaro, A. (2018). ISIS in Mosul and Sirte: Differences and similarities. Mediterranean Politics, 23(3), 410-417. Web.
Bloom, M., & Daymon, C. (2018). Assessing the future threat: ISIS’s virtual caliphate. Orbis, 62(3), 372-388. Web.
Gerges, F. A. (2021). ISIS: a history. Princeton University Press.
Krona, M., & Pennington, R. (2019). The media world of ISIS. Indiana University Press.
Speckhard, A., & Ellenberg, M. D. (2020). ISIS in their own words. Journal of Strategic Security, 13(1), 82-127. Web.