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International-UN-NGOs
On the Origin of ISIS
2014-08-31
Hussain Abdul-Hussain and Lee Smith write a great piece in the Weekly Standard to explain how the ISIS is different from other terror groups in the Middle East, and why failing to understand that means disaster for us.

In short: ISIS is tribal and has tribal concerns: land, power, connections, wealth. Their ideology is Salafist and their heritage is Sunni, but they're not interested in terror for terror's sake. Terror is a tool, one that they understand well and are happy to use. As is said in the article, "ISIS is not a classic insurgency, nor a non-state actor. Rather, it's a state-building organization.”

ISIS is building a caliphate. It has taken advantage of the power vacuum in Iraq and Syria. It is following a millennia-old rule book on the acquisition and leveraging of power in the region. It rigorously follows its ideology. It uses its understanding of tribal relations. But what they want is something that in the end is very rational for someone in the Middle East: a homeland in which Allah (their version) rules all the faithful through a caliph.

Highly recommended.
Posted by:Steve White

#11  #3 There is no changing this man or his followers.

I am coming to believe that O, those around him, and those who voted for him are much like the National Socialist leader of yore, the sycophants around him, and those who voted for him--rabid ideologues with agenda in which they are unwavering. The Democrats of today are not the Democrats of your parents and grandparents.
Posted by: JohnQC   2014-08-31 16:43  

#10  I think Obama knows the truth and whatever non-PC-ified segments of the intelligence community has been telling him the truth.

The problem is he doesn't care. Or worse he wants to exploit it for his own advantage. Never let a crisis go to waste and all that.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2014-08-31 12:55  

#9  I hope someone has the intelligence to tell Obean the truth

Telling Obama the truth is a career ending move. In fact, if you show an inclination towards truth-telling, your job application has already been weeded out.

Al
Posted by: Frozen Al   2014-08-31 12:18  

#8  outstanding article thanks i learnt a lot
Posted by: anon1   2014-08-31 10:28  

#7  I would put it more simply.

A lot of Islamic terror groups can promise you a nice time in heaven. But only ISIS gives you opportunity to establish an Islamic paradise on earth and, as a bonus, in the Arab heartland.
Posted by: lord garth   2014-08-31 10:21  

#6  ISIS seems more like Saddam's Baathists re-branded.
Posted by: Glenmore   2014-08-31 09:32  

#5  And how long before the imam(s) in Soodia rise up and throw off their corrupt rulers?
Posted by: BrerRabbit   2014-08-31 08:18  

#4  As is already happening, the president will be led by events and by others. Some right things will happen because France and Britain will take the lead and demand America participate, or because genocide is said in harsh whispers.
Posted by: trailing wife   2014-08-31 07:25  

#3  There is no changing this man or his followers.
Posted by: Besoeker   2014-08-31 01:38  

#2  You can't tell somebody like Obama anything he doesn't want to hear, gorb.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2014-08-31 01:15  

#1  and why failing to understand that means disaster for us

I hope someone has the intelligence to tell Obean the truth, and I hope Obean can summon the wisdom to figure it out and act against his muslim faith.
Posted by: gorb   2014-08-31 00:50  

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