Rolling Back the Islamic State

Communitarian Politics in the Middle East and The Sunni-Shia Balance of Power. (c2020)

“…ISIS, despite having roots ever since 1999, became relatively prominent after the American intervention in Iraq in 2003; but their rise to effective power saw light after the majority of U.S. troops left Iraqi soil in 2011 (Jones et al, 2017). After the involvement of ISIS in the regional struggle, Sunnis lost their political power to the Shia, and this led to a divided and dissatisfied Sunni group.…”

“…Militant Sunni extremists took advantage of this divide to form partnerships with Sunni tribal leaders in order to resist American occupation and the current Shia government. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi thus formed Al Qaeda in Iraq with a main purpose of fighting American influence (Jones et al, 2017). By partnering with Al Qaeda, al-Zarqawi gained credibility with fellow Salafi jihadists across the globe, and became the recognized leader of a fractured Sunni Arab Iraqi insurgent movement.…”

“…When al-Zarqawi died in 2006, the organization changed its name to Islamic State of Iraq, with al-Baghdadi as one of its leaders. He became the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq in 2010 after the group's leader and deputy died (Jones et al, 2017).…”

“…This was achieved by effectively ruling through fear tactics, and giving consent in other instances, so to ensure its sustainability in the domestic and international platforms. Jones et al (2017) noted that ISIS had attempted to obtain its legitimacy from the Muslim religion. This is because as a self-declared caliphate, the group is expected to appeal to Muslims, and the militant group has capitalized on the widespread beliefs of Salafists that the Muslim world must restore the simplicity and unity which was prevalent in the early days of the religion.…”

“…The destruction of the Islamic State's territorial base in Iraq and Syria most likely reduced the group's wider appeal. However, it is possible that the group, just like Al Qaeda before it, will continue to metastasize and increase its influence even without a home base (Jones et al, 2017).…”