[01] Chanchal Kumar, Department of Political Science, Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

The foundations of the ISIS were formed following the US-led invasion of Iraq (2003). The ISIS or the ISIL was formed by the insurgents of the Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, also known as the al-Qaeda in Iraq (aQI). This group has been given the title of “terrorist organization” by the United Nations, European Union, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and many others. ISIS now controls or can operate with impunity in a great stretch of territory in western Iraq and eastern Syria, making it militarily the most successful jihadi movement ever. Since ISIS has controlled more territory both in Syria and Iraq it has increasingly been able to fund itself from the proceeds of organised crime, including protection rackets and bank robberies, and by selling natural resources. The ISIS tactic is to make a surprise attack, inflict maximum casualties and spread fear before withdrawing without suffering heavy losses. ISIS specialises in using militarily untrained foreign volunteers as suicide bombers either moving on foot wearing suicide vests, or driving vehicles packed with explosives. ISIS is already a threat to the United States. ISIS is not only dangerous in a regional context because it is overthrowing modern state boundaries in ways that incur massive ethno-sectarian killing and cleansing. ISIS is also a global jihadist organization that shares al-Qaeda’s ideology, such that its progress drives towards a post-state and apocalyptic vision that involves the destruction of the modern state system. ISIS already threatens to escalate violence between states in the Middle East that have been fighting proxy wars in Syria for several years such that ISIS military operations may cascade into a broader regional conflict (Jessica D. Lewis: ISW). ISIS is now a direct threat to neighbouring states in the Middle East, and ISIS is broadcasting the intent to attack Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the West. The threat of attacks against the U.S. is present.

Islamic State of Iraq, Syria (ISIS), ISIL, Islamic State, Terrorism

[01] Ali Khedery “How Isis came to be” The Gurdian, 22 August, 2014. [02] Ian Black, Rania Abouzeid, Mark Tran, Shiraz Maher, Roger Tooth and Martin Chulov,“The terrifying rise of Isis: $2bn in loot, online killings and an army on the run” The Gurdian, UK Edition, 16 June,2014. [03] “Department of Defence Press Briefing on Operations in Syria by Lt. Gen. Mayville in the Pentagon Briefing Room”, US Department of Defence, 23 September 2014. [04] “Statement on Iraq, Syria, and ISIL before the House Armed Services Committee”, US Department of Defence, 18 September 2014 Ibid. [05] “ISIS’s Financial and Military Capabilities”December, 2014, The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre, Crethiplethi. [06] “Islamic State's move to consolidate control over Raqqa province will lead to broader confrontations with Syrian forces”, Jane’s Intelligence Weekly, 28 July 2014. [07] “As ISIS Routs The Iraqi Army, Here's A Look At What The Jihadists Have In Their Arsenal”, Business Insider, 8 July 2014. [08] Lewis, Jessica (12 June 2014). "The Terrorist Army Marching on Baghdad". The Wall Street Journal. [09] "IS has 20,000–31,500 fighters in Iraq and Syria: CIA". Yahoo! News. 12 September 2014. [10] "Islamic State 'has 50,000 fighters in Syria'". Al Jazeera. 19 August 2014. Ibid. [11] "Two Arab countries fall apart". The Economist (14 June 2014). [12] Revathi Siva Kumar. "UN Report On 15,000 Foreigners Joining ISIS Fighters In Syria And Iraq Will Shock You". International Business Times AU. [13] ."Officials confirm ISIL present in Afghanistan", 13 February 2015. [14] "ISIS gaining ground in Yemen, competing with al Qaeda". CNNdate=21 January 2015. [15] sohranas. "EXCLUSIVE: ‘It is not the end of fighting in Kobani’ – expert fears IS could return". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. [16] Mike Giglio, Munzer al-Awad. "ISIS Operative: This Is How We Send Jihadis To Europe". Buzz Feed. [17] “Self-funded and deep-rooted: How ISIS makes its millions” Scott Bronstein and Drew Griffin, CNN Investigations, October 7, 2014 USA. [18] Jane’s World Insurgency and Terrorism, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) ‘Maliki: Saudi and Qatar at war against Iraq’, al-Jazeera’, 9 March 2014. [19] ‘Kuwaiti minister accused by U.S. over terrorism funding quits’, Reuters, 12 May 2014. [20] Elizabeth Dickinson, Playing with Fire: Why Private Gulf Financing for Syria’s Extremist Rebels Risks Igniting Sectarian Conflict at Home, Brookings Institution, 6 December 2013. [21] “How Does ISIS Fund Its Reign of Terror?” Janine Di Giovanni, Leah McGrath Goodman, and Damien Sharkov/ Newsweek, November 6, 2014, http://www.newsweek.com/2014/11/14/how-does-isis-fund-its-reign-terror-282607.html. [22] ‘Syria's Assad accused of boosting al-Qaeda with secret oil deals’, Daily Telegraph, 20 January 2014. [23] Luay al-Khatteeb, ‘How Iraq's black market in oil funds ISIS’, CNN, 22 August 2014. [24] ‘Iraq arrest that exposed wealth and power of Isis jihadists’, Guardian, 15 June 2014. [25] “ISIS Military Strategy” Metin Gurcan, Academia.edu https://www.academia.edu/7632564/ISIS_MILITARY_STRATEGY via @academia. [26] “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) a Global Threat: Analysis of the Effects on Cyberspace of the Iraqi Situation” 8th July 2014, INFOSEC Institute. [27] ‘French hostage Herve Gourdel beheaded in Algeria’, BBC News Online, 24 September 2014. [28] ‘Islamic State is spreading into Pakistan’, New Republic’, 23 September 2014. [29] A further 475 US personnel are being deployed however in order to assist with the training and equipping of Kurdish forces US Department of Defence Press briefing, 23 September 2014 http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123234. [30] US, UK, Canada, Australia, Turkey, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Poland Joint Statement by Secretary Kerry and Secretary Hagel on the ISIL Meeting, 5 September 2014. [31] “The Islamic State: A Counter-Strategy for a Counter-State” Jessica D. Lewis, 2015, The institute for the Study of War. [32] “The Lesson of the Surge: Defeating ISIS Requires a New Sunni Awakening”, Col, (Ret.) Derek Harvey and Michael Pregent, June, 2014, New American Foundation. http://www.newamerica.org/downloads/IraqAwakening%20FINAL_2.pdf.