Small Wars Journal

Islamic State

Terrorism Defined and Why It Matters

Fri, 08/10/2018 - 12:39am
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is the most rapidly advancing terrorist group of the past five years. The problem is that it is not a terrorist group at all. Just because a group commits grave atrocities and “terrorizes” citizen populations does not make it a terrorist group. That is not what terrorism means.

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The Fascist Caliphate: How the Islamic State Mirrored Fascist Political Tactics Through Appealing to a Relatively Deprived Middle Class

Wed, 06/20/2018 - 12:49am
Both ideologies emphasize using violence to overthrow the existing international order and replace it with a strict, intolerant doctrine. Of the similarities, one of the most foundational is an emphasis on appealing to disenfranchised members of a middle class and the groups’ exploitation of middle class identity to achieve their goals.

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Baqiya Wa Tatamadad (Lasting and Expanding): A Neoclassical Realist Analysis of the Daesh Quasi-State SWJED Tue, 03/06/2018 - 7:29am

One key purpose of this study is to analyze and assess how Daesh’s actions as a non-state actor either supported or hindered their goals of establishing a religious caliphate.

What to Expect in the New American ‘War on Terror’ in the Philippines SWJED Wed, 02/28/2018 - 2:08pm

The U.S. military resumed its counterterrorism mission in the Philippines in September 2017. This new operation comes on the heels of the rise of ISIS-linked groups.

Meet the Neighbours: ISIS on Israel’s Doorstep SWJED Sun, 01/07/2018 - 8:17am

Despite regional territorial loses, one pocket of ISIS controlled territory remains intact, increasing its presence along the borders of Israel and Jordan.

The Fires Next Time: The ISIS Terrorist Threat in the West SWJED Thu, 09/21/2017 - 4:38am

ISIS has ambitious plans for continuing to stage attacks around the world. As part of this, we must consider the danger of ISIS organizing a terrorist underground in the West.

 

Iraq, the Islamic State, and War Termination SWJED Tue, 09/05/2017 - 8:07pm

An unsolicited letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider Al-Abadi.