Select any terrorist group of interest and explain its origins, development, and objectives: The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
Al-Qaeda, ISIS, the Taliban. Names which thirty years ago had no significance, had no meaning, had no impact on the functionality of everyday life in the United States. Thirty years ago, America was concerned with the drug trade from South America alongside the Cold War with the Soviet Union. There were not concerns of bombings, of beheadings, of attacks on Americans in the homeland nor on American citizens overseas. August 19, 2014, November 13, 2015, June 12, 2016. The dates of three predominant attacks with links to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria: the kidnap, torture and slaughter of American Journalist James Foley; the shooting in Paris leaving 130 dead; the Orlando nightclub shooting leaving fifty people dead. In the 2000’s, the immediate concerns were preventing another September 11th, of negating Al Qaeda’s presence on United States soil. The global focus on Al-Qaeda permitted the extreme rise to power by the Islamic State.
Origins:
Prior to the rise of the Islamic State, a specific pattern of events had to be followed in order for the Islamic State to become a reality. First, the United States had to supply training and ammunition to the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan. These actions were taken in order to provide aide to rebel forces against Soviet Troops occupying the country. The proxy war between Afghani Rebels or “Freedom Fighters,” and the Soviets had “…[destabilized] the region and [perpetuated] the risk of the export of terrorism.” (Juneau, 2015, p. 41). Which, it indeed did. Once the war had finished, civil unrest pervaded the country. Without a strong system of government, strong willed Wahhabi traditionalists took control of regions across Iraq. Wahhabi tradition goes back to the most simplistic and old-fashioned ideologies within Islam, with strict restrictions on women (no women permitted in the classroom, or women driving vehicles). From Wahhabism the emergence of Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda rose to power as a stabilizing unit for the people in the Middle East, with connections and terror cells across the entirety of the Middle East. With their ability to control and incite the people, it quickly became apparent that this radical and aggressive form of Islam had permeated the smallest tribal communities to some of the largest cities. One of the original issues that made Al Qaeda the most difficult to combat was their ability to, “… treat the entire planet as a battlefield, rejecting national borders while advocating operations throughout the globe.” (Kfir, 2015, p. 233). The United States and its allies had yet to fight a group such as this, a threat that was as much physical as it was an ideology. It was a challenge to combat an enemy in typical American fashion when there is no central base, where their enemy is not a state but a series of aggressors hiding in the shadows. As United States led forces cracked down on Al Qaeda, away from the spotlight, where the ideological differences in the group known as Al Qaeda split, these differences, “…gave birth to an even more dangerous phenomenon, creating a new brand of groups committed to the general ideas of Al Qaeda but tailoring their tactics to fit the conditions they face.” (Kfir, 2015, p. 242). Not only are the militants who were joining (at that time it was known as ISI or Islamic State in Iraq) to support a similar ideology lost when Al Qaeda made the transition from a tangible group to an ideology, but these jihadists, “…appeared even more radical and dangerous than Core Al Qaeda…” and all of whom demonstrated that the, “Al-Qaeda ideology is constantly re-energized, leading new actors to approach their campaigns with devastating consequences” (Kfir, 2015, p. 234). Meaning new terrorist organizations who crept into the global picture became more extreme, with increasing radicalism to accomplish their jihadi objectives. The Islamic State in Iraq soon expanded into Syria, tying the Sunni ideology of most Syrian citizens with that of the Iraqis. This expansion was enabled by the breakout of the Syrian Civil War, which, as mentioned earlier, was the destabilizing factor which allowed the Islamic State in Iraq to become the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. This connection was made between the Iraq sections of Al Qaeda and its partner in Syria, Al Nusra.
Many people believe that Al Qaeda and ISIS are the causes of the instability in the Middle East. However, it is important to, “…[realize] that [the Islamic State] is a symptom, not a cause of broken politics in Iraq and Syria.” (Juneau, 2015, p. 36). This rise of terrorism is a by-product of the absence of a stable government, rather than the aggression of extremists. Again, terrorism isn’t a cause, but a consequence of destabilized governments. Eventually, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria shortened their name to the Islamic State in order to exemplify the goal of creating an Islamic Caliphate that encompassed more territory and people than what it held of Iraq and Syria.
Ideologies:
As aforementioned, the Islamic State in Iraq in and Syria was founded from the ideologies of Al Qaeda. The original ideologies of Al Qaeda followed the preaching of Muhammad Ibn Abdul al-Wahhab. From his preaching came the Islamic practice of Wahhabism, a radical, extremist, and very literal interpretation of the Quran. This interpretation limited the actions of its followers and deemed that anyone who didn’t reject modernist or Western ideas (technology, dress, customs, etc.) as infidels and traitors. Kfir (2015) argues that, “… it is not religion that lies at Al Qaeda’s ideological base, but grievance and insecurity.” (p. 234). This concept is supported by the fact that Islamic Extremists follow a specific pattern or idea where, “…all those who oppose its ideology and its implementation as apostates and infidels who are by definition regulated to death.” (Kfir, 2015, p. 233). This includes any Muslims who follow the Quran through basic interpretations and teachings, which most Muslims will tell you that involves peace and acceptance. Because of the tranquil nature of most who practice the Quran, this is seen as an act of defiance against Islamic Extremists. Hence, the medieval tactics of terror used to persuade their fellow Muslims to adhere to their extremist ways.
Development:
The Islamic State in Iraq didn’t truly become a multinational terrorist organization until the creation of the Al Nusra front in Syria. Stemming from the civil unrest from the Arab Spring movement in the country, gave the extremists an opportunity: “… an insecure environment, which enables the group to exhibit specific social characteristics and to which the disgruntled, aggrieved, individual can relate; a tool to bond the targeted audience with the group; and self-interest.” (Kfir, 2015, p. 235). In order to end the civil war with the Syrian Government, rebel forces (extremist groups) would approach their brethren, stating that the only way to end oppression by the infidels was to fight back. The most important tool which extremists of any kind use is fear. For the only thing terrorists do better than instilling fear in themselves is instilling fear in an unstable government, “…ISIL uses terror to underlie the inability of the Iraqi state to provide protection, showing that in reality it is the power, especially as it has the financial means to provide for its supporters.” (Kfir, 2015, p. 241). Further enunciating that the Iraqi state (and by way of civil war the Syrian state as well) cannot provide economic or physical protection for its citizens. This is continued by Kfir’s (2015) assertions that,
… Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the founder of ISIL, who has used the Syrian civil war to attract recruits and win territory from which ISIL could launch further attacks, cement its authority, and offer to many Sunnis fed up with their own tribal leaders and the Iraqi and Syrian governments with an alternative made more palatable because ISIL can offer immediate physical and at least the promise of eventual economic security.
(Kfir, 2015, p. 243).
As mentioned earlier, part of the attraction for joining extremist groups like Al Qaeda or the Islamic State is the idea of protection, protection that extremist groups can readily offer to their recruits. The benefit for these recruits unfortunately doesn’t stop there, because joining a terrorist organization creates the ability to make an immediate impact on their environment. It allows them to feel purposeful. Where, when relying on an unstable government, only encourages the feeling of being vulnerable in their situation, and no one wants to feel helpless. Thus, motivating people in unstable environments, like those in Iraq and Syria, to be motivated to join the ranks of terrorist organizations like the Islamic State.
As mentioned earlier, terrorist organizations that are the by-product of Al Qaeda tend to be increasingly radical and more extreme than their predecessors. The Islamic State is no exception as they would strike fear into those considered infidels through their aggressive and medieval tactics (beheadings, crucifixions, stoning, etc.). Their displays of power continue, as, “… [the Islamic State] invaded swaths of territory by moving in convoys of dozens of vehicles.” (Juneau, 2015, p. 38). This blatant display of power would either persuade those who opposed the Islamic State to either submit to their governance or die, there would be no in between. This would also pressure citizens in both Iraq and Syria to join the ranks of extremists in order to strengthen the Islamic State’s ranks.
The spread of extremism has been combatted by global forces, but global leaders, such as the United States, have difficult decisions to make. For if they support the extremists, then history would repeat itself with what occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan followed the creation Al Qaeda. But if they support the Syrian government, then the United States is backing a dictator ready and willing to do harm unto his own people. There have been attempts at combatting the presence of the Islamic State, “…before mid-2014 when earlier initiatives largely failed, as some groups supported by the United States collapsed, abandoning some of their weapons to [the Islamic State].” (Juneau, 2015, p. 39). This was just one of the issues that arose with putting arms into the hands of moderate extremists were innumerable. Firstly, there is no such thing as a moderate extremist. Secondly, these rebel forces were fighting a war on two fronts, with both the Syrian government as well as the Islamic State. Which for small, barely unified, bands of rebels were extremely difficult to maintain. Finally, the United States cannot back these rebels in an official capacity, so the resources that the United States could offer were extremely limited.
Objectives:
It would be simple to state that the goal of groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State are to create an Islamic Caliphate, but it’s larger than that. Their objective is not to solely create an Islamic Caliphate, but one which all inhabitants practice a puritanical form of Islam with particularly aggressive interpretations of the Quran. The Islamic State promotes a message, “…[focusing] on the suffering of ordinary (mainly Sunni) Syrians through traditional and more importantly online delivery systems.” (Kfir, 2015, p. 242). This way, the Islamic State could focus it’s recruiting. While the Islamic State’s goal was to create a peaceful and holistic Islamic Caliphate comes from a well-meaning place, we cannot say that the ends justify the means.
In the end, the goal of groups such as the Islamic State is to bend the will of the world to their desires. For the leaders of these groups, once they start something as violent as their attacks, once they’re so deeply entrenched in their initiatives, there’s no turning back. Once they make an achievement, they would continue their hunt for more. A prime example of this was the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. Their addiction to the success of overtaking other countries while gaining power. While they didn’t use extremist methods to convince the public, they could not be appeased with what they had overtaken. Germany continued to press forward, their ultimate goal, to establish an Aryan race and regime across the globe. This goal is similar for Islamic Extremists. They do not simply want a single Islamic Caliphate that would only encompass the Middle East, the Islamic State would like to create a global Islamic Caliphate.
The Islamic State is the child of Al Qaeda, a terrorist organization created from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. From this, gave rise to extremism, and eventually, the further radicalization of extremism demonstrated by groups such as the Islamic State. Following a Wahhabi traditionalist mentality, these groups sought to build a global empire under the rule of Islam. The future of radicalism is still unclear, and even though the Islamic State seems to be weakening, time will tell whether or not this is indicative of a new wave of terrorism following in its footsteps.
References
- (2014, August 20). Full Uncensored Video of the James Foley Beheading [Video file]. Retrieved from https://blog.daniyar.info/2014/08/full-uncensored-video-of-the-james-foley-beheading/
- Juneau, T. (2015). Containing the Islamic State. Middle East Policy, 22(3), 36-43. Retrieved from EBSCOHost database.
- Kfir, I. (2015). Social Identity Group and Human (In)Security: The Case of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 38, 233-252. Retrieved from EBSCOHost database.
- Zabad, I. (Presenter). (2018, April 30). ISIS. Lecture presented During Class, Plassman 202, Olean, NY.
Originally published 15.10.2019