Introduction
In recent years, the world has watched with horror as a ruthless militant group called ISIS has burned across Iraq and Syria, conquering territory and brutally imposing its radical ideology. For many in the West, ISIS seemed to emerge suddenly out of nowhere to become a major threat. However, as Michael Weiss reveals in his book "ISIS", the group's rise to power was long in the making, built on careful planning, strategic alliances, and relentless aggression.
This book provides a comprehensive look at the origins, ideology, and tactics of ISIS, helping readers understand how this fanatical organization grew into such a formidable force. By examining ISIS's history and inner workings, Weiss offers crucial insights that could help the world find ways to counter this dangerous group.
The Rise of ISIS
A Fanatical Fighting Force
At its core, ISIS is a militant group driven by an extremist ideology and populated by fanatical fighters willing to die for their cause. Though its numbers are relatively small - only a few thousand members spread across Syria and Iraq - ISIS has managed to conquer territory nearly the size of Great Britain through ruthless tactics and sheer determination.
The group has branded itself as a defender of Sunni Muslims in the Middle East, claiming to protect them from enemies like the United States and Arab Gulf states. In reality, ISIS imposes a reign of terror on the populations under its control, enforcing a harsh interpretation of Islamic law.
ISIS actively recruits the most radical and committed individuals to join its ranks. One example is Abdelaziz, a young man from Bahrain who became interested in jihadism in 2011. After fighting with more moderate rebel groups in Syria, Abdelaziz grew disillusioned and eventually joined ISIS. He quickly rose through the ranks, participating in filmed beheadings and even being granted a sex slave before dying in battle in 2014.
For ISIS, fanatics like Abdelaziz are the norm rather than the exception. By cultivating an army of true believers willing to fight to the death, ISIS has become a constant, serious threat to stability in Iraq, Syria, and beyond.
The Goal of a Caliphate
ISIS's ultimate goal is to establish a caliphate - an Islamic state ruled by a supreme religious and political leader known as a caliph. The group envisions abolishing all existing nation-states and uniting Muslims under a single Islamic government adhering strictly to sharia law.
In 2014, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared that the territories under the group's control constituted a new caliphate, with himself as caliph. ISIS now refers to itself simply as the Islamic State, claiming that all other states and borders are illegitimate.
Within its self-proclaimed caliphate, ISIS enforces an extremely narrow definition of who is considered a true Muslim. The group welcomes those who follow its strict interpretation of Islam and are willing to fight as holy warriors or mujahideen. Everyone else - including Jews, Christians, and even many Muslims - are branded as infidels to be subjugated or destroyed.
When ISIS first took control of areas in Iraq and Syria, some residents initially welcomed the group as it provided a semblance of order and basic services after years of chaos. However, the population's attitude quickly soured as ISIS began imposing its harsh rules:
- Schools were closed
- Women were forced to wear full coverings and could not leave home without a male guardian
- Men were required to grow beards
- Everyone had to attend mosque five times daily for prayers
Those who did not comply faced medieval-style punishments like torture, dismemberment, and beheading. ISIS's brutal imposition of its ideology has brought immense suffering to the people living under its rule.
The Origins of ISIS
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi: The Founder
To understand ISIS, we must look at its origins - which can be traced back to a Jordanian man named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Born in 1966, al-Zarqawi had a troubled childhood marked by violence and lack of education. His mother sent him to religious classes hoping to give his life structure, but this instead led to his radicalization.
Al-Zarqawi embraced Salafism, an ultra-conservative branch of Sunni Islam, and became devoted to the concept of jihad or holy war. In 1989 he traveled to Afghanistan, where he received militant training and made connections with other jihadists.
A key moment came when al-Zarqawi met al-Maqdisi, the founder of a jihadist cell called Bayt al-Imam. Al-Maqdisi became al-Zarqawi's mentor, shaping his extremist worldview. The two were arrested in Jordan in 1994 for terrorist activities.
Ironically, al-Zarqawi's time in prison only elevated his status in jihadist circles. He used his imprisonment to recruit other inmates and publish religious edicts that caught the attention of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
After being released in 1999, al-Zarqawi made his way to Afghanistan where he met with bin Laden. Though the two did not fully agree ideologically, they formed an alliance of convenience that would lay the groundwork for the eventual creation of ISIS.
An Uneasy Partnership
The relationship between al-Zarqawi and bin Laden was complex. While both were committed to jihad against the West, their priorities and methods differed:
- Bin Laden focused on attacking the "far enemy" - namely the United States and its allies.
- Al-Zarqawi had a longer list of enemies, including Shia Muslims and even fellow Sunnis who did not adhere to his extremist views.
Despite their differences, bin Laden saw value in al-Zarqawi's experience and connections in the Middle East. In 2000, bin Laden gave al-Zarqawi authority to run an al-Qaeda training camp in Herat, Afghanistan. This camp became a breeding ground for future terrorist activities.
Al-Zarqawi's lieutenants went on to establish additional training facilities in northern Iraq and Iran. They began occupying territory and imposing sharia law - an early preview of ISIS's later tactics.
The U.S. government pointed to al-Qaeda's presence in northern Iraq as evidence of ties between the terrorist group and Saddam Hussein's regime. This claim, along with faulty intelligence about weapons of mass destruction, was used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
As the Iraq War began, bin Laden called for jihadists to cooperate with Saddam's Baathist supporters to fight the American "far enemy." This unholy alliance between Islamist extremists and former regime loyalists would prove crucial to ISIS's eventual rise to power.
Exploiting Post-War Chaos
The U.S. invasion of Iraq created conditions that al-Zarqawi and his followers were able to exploit. As Saddam's regime fell and a new Shia-dominated government took power, many Sunnis - especially former members of the Baath party - felt disenfranchised and angry.
Interestingly, some of these Baathists had already been primed for radicalization. Before the war, Saddam had launched a campaign to educate government workers about Islam, fearing tensions between Sunnis and Shias. This inadvertently exposed many secular Baathists to Salafist teachings.
When the new Iraqi government implemented "de-Baathification" policies that purged Sunnis from positions of power, many of these disaffected individuals turned to extremist groups like al-Qaeda. Al-Zarqawi seized this opportunity to recruit new followers to his cause.
He quickly unleashed a campaign of terror, organizing high-profile attacks like the 2003 bombings of the Jordanian embassy and UN headquarters in Baghdad. Though al-Zarqawi's group was relatively small, it was responsible for a disproportionate number of attacks and received extensive media coverage.
Al-Zarqawi also pioneered the tactic of filmed beheadings, often dressing victims in orange jumpsuits reminiscent of Guantanamo Bay inmates as a critique of U.S. policies. However, his main targets were not Americans but Iraq's Shia majority. By inciting sectarian violence, al-Zarqawi hoped to rally Sunnis to his jihadist cause.
This strategy of stoking civil war through terror would later be adopted by ISIS in its conquest of cities like Mosul. Though effective in the short term, al-Zarqawi's brutal tactics eventually began to backfire as local Sunni tribes grew weary of the constant violence and chaos.
The Birth of ISIS
In 2006, al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike. However, his death only martyred him in the eyes of his followers. His successors, including a man named Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, carried on his mission with even grander ambitions.
That same year, they founded the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) - the direct predecessor of ISIS. Unlike al-Zarqawi's more limited goals, ISI openly sought to establish an Islamic caliphate through any means necessary.
As the war in Iraq wound down, ISI faced pushback from local Sunni tribes who had grown tired of extremist rule. Many Iraqis turned against jihadist groups and even cooperated with American forces to drive them out.
ISI and al-Qaeda were forced to retreat from southern Baghdad to smaller Iraqi cities. Other jihadist factions also turned against al-Qaeda, asking the Americans for help in retaking the capital.
While al-Qaeda was essentially driven out of Iraq, ISI managed to hold on by learning from its predecessor's mistakes. The group went underground, patiently building its networks and biding its time until U.S. forces left the country.
ISI even encouraged its members to get arrested on purpose, using American prisons as safe recruiting grounds. This allowed the group to indoctrinate new followers while keeping them fed and protected during the final days of the U.S. occupation.
ISIS Comes to Power
Exploiting the Syrian Civil War
By 2011, ISIS (still known as ISI at this point) was ready to reemerge and take advantage of growing resentment against American forces and the Iraqi government. The group found its first major opportunity for expansion in neighboring Syria.
As the Arab Spring swept through the Middle East, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad faced growing protests against his authoritarian rule. Assad responded with brutal force, igniting a civil war.
ISIS saw the chaos in Syria as a perfect breeding ground for its ideology. The group sent fighters into the country and began carving out territory amid the conflict.
Ironically, Assad inadvertently aided ISIS's rise through his political maneuvering:
- He released jihadists from Syrian prisons, hoping they would join rebel groups and discredit the opposition.
- He collaborated with ISIS fighters to attack areas held by more moderate rebels.
- At the same time, Assad tried to convince the West that he needed support to fight terrorists like ISIS.
This cynical strategy backfired spectacularly as ISIS grew stronger and eventually turned against the Syrian regime.
Breaking with Al-Qaeda
As ISIS expanded its power in Syria, tensions grew with its former ally al-Qaeda. By 2014, the ideological and tactical differences between the two groups had become irreconcilable.
ISIS openly defied orders from al-Qaeda's leadership and pursued its own agenda of territorial conquest. Many al-Qaeda members, attracted by ISIS's success and resources, defected to join the newer group.
Attempts by al-Qaeda leaders to heal the rift failed. Soon ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates like the al-Nusra Front were actively fighting each other in Syria. The split was finalized when ISIS declared itself an independent caliphate, no longer subordinate to any other jihadist authority.
This breakaway from al-Qaeda allowed ISIS to fully pursue its state-building project without restraint. No longer just a terrorist group, ISIS now saw itself as the nucleus of a new Islamic empire.
Effective Propaganda and Recruitment
A key factor in ISIS's meteoric rise has been its mastery of propaganda and recruitment. The group has proven adept at using both traditional and social media to spread its message and attract new followers.
ISIS produces slick videos, magazines, and social media content that glorify its battles and ideology. These materials are disseminated widely on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram, allowing ISIS to reach a global audience of potential recruits.
The group's propaganda specifically targets disaffected young people, especially in Western countries. It promises adventure, purpose, and a chance to be part of something greater than themselves. For some alienated individuals, ISIS's call to jihad provides a tempting escape from the mundane frustrations of their lives.
Disturbingly, ISIS has successfully recruited significant numbers of foreign fighters from Europe, North America, and elsewhere. Over 18% of its militants are estimated to come from Western nations like the UK and Belgium.
Western media coverage of ISIS, while intended to highlight the group's brutality, has paradoxically helped fuel interest in joining. Constant reporting on ISIS's activities has given the group a larger-than-life image that appeals to its target audience of young, radical men seeking glory through violence.
Conquest Through Cunning
On the battlefield, ISIS has proven to be a formidable and adaptable foe. The group employs a variety of sophisticated tactics to conquer and control territory:
Exploiting tribal dynamics: In Syria, ISIS gained support from local tribes by providing financial incentives and protection. This allowed them to take control of strategic regions like Deir Ezzor on the Iraqi border.
Using sleeper cells: ISIS plants undercover agents within rival groups like the Free Syrian Army. These sleeper cells can then strike from within at crucial moments.
Siege warfare: ISIS often surrounds cities and cuts off supplies, weakening defenses before launching an assault.
Synchronized attacks: When attacking a city, ISIS coordinates sleeper cells inside to assassinate enemy leaders while its main force strikes from outside.
These precise, patient strategies have allowed ISIS to rapidly expand its territory while minimizing its own losses. The group's military effectiveness stands in stark contrast to the often clumsy efforts of its opponents.
America's Failed Response
Misunderstanding the Situation
The United States' approach to combating ISIS has been hampered by a fundamental lack of understanding of the complex dynamics in Iraq and Syria. This ignorance stems back to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which the U.S. undertook with little grasp of the region's history, culture, or internal conflicts.
Some key American missteps included:
- Mishandling negotiations with Iraqi tribes and factions
- Dismantling the Iraqi government and military, creating a power vacuum
- Installing a Shia-dominated government that alienated Sunnis
- Failing to grasp the importance of sectarian and tribal loyalties
These blunders created ideal conditions for extremist groups to flourish. U.S. officials seemed perpetually confused by shifting alliances and unable to navigate the intricate web of local politics.
The collapse of Syria into civil war further complicated matters. The U.S. struggled to formulate a coherent policy, unsure of whether to back the Assad regime against ISIS or support rebel groups that might include extremist elements.
Unlike in a conventional war with clear sides, the Syrian conflict presented no good options. Helping either side risked empowering dangerous actors and further destabilizing the region.
An Uncertain Future
As of the book's writing, there is no clear end in sight to ISIS's reign of terror. The group has proven remarkably resilient, adapting to setbacks and finding new opportunities amid regional chaos.
While military action has pushed ISIS back in some areas, the underlying conditions that fueled its rise remain unresolved. Sectarian tensions, poor governance, and lack of economic opportunity continue to make ISIS's radical message appealing to some.
Furthermore, even if ISIS loses its territorial holdings, its ideology and networks are likely to endure. The group may evolve into a more traditional terrorist organization, continuing to inspire attacks around the world.
Effectively countering ISIS will require not just military force, but a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of extremism in the region. This demands a far more nuanced understanding of local dynamics than Western powers have demonstrated so far.
Key Takeaways
ISIS grew out of al-Qaeda in Iraq but evolved into a more ambitious organization seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate.
The group's rise was enabled by the power vacuum left after the Iraq War and the chaos of the Syrian civil war.
ISIS uses a combination of brutal violence, effective propaganda, and cunning military tactics to conquer territory and attract followers.
The organization has successfully recruited thousands of foreign fighters, including many from Western countries.
America's response to ISIS has been hampered by a lack of understanding of the complex dynamics in Iraq and Syria.
There is no easy solution to the threat posed by ISIS, which is likely to remain a destabilizing force in the Middle East for years to come.
Conclusion
Michael Weiss's "ISIS" provides a comprehensive and sobering look at one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in modern history. By tracing ISIS's origins and examining its ideology and tactics, the book offers crucial insights into how this group rose to power and why it has proven so difficult to defeat.
The story of ISIS is a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of military intervention and the dangers of ignoring complex regional dynamics. It also highlights the power of extremist ideologies to attract followers and the challenges of combating such movements in the age of global interconnectedness.
As ISIS continues to evolve and inspire imitators around the world, understanding its history and methods is more important than ever. While the book offers no easy solutions, it provides the kind of in-depth knowledge that is essential for developing effective strategies to counter violent extremism.
Ultimately, "ISIS" serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by radical ideologies and the need for nuanced, long-term approaches to promoting stability and peace in the Middle East and beyond. Only by learning from past mistakes and developing a deeper understanding of the forces at play can the international community hope to prevent the rise of future groups like ISIS.