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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat happens when terrorists carve themselves a state?
The State of TerrorWe think of terrorist outfits like ISIS as nonstate actors. But what happens when terrorists carve themselves a state?
By Daniel Byman
As forces from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria sweep across Iraq, conquering cities like Mosul and Tikrit, the Obama administration is pledging greater support for the Iraqi government. Yet even if the Iraqi army is able to stop ISISs advance on Baghdad, the violent jihadist group will likely retain control of vast swaths of Iraq and eastern Syria.
In a matter of days, ISISs bold and effective fighting in the heartland of the Arab world may have made it the pre-eminent force in the Sunni jihadist movement. It has now arguably eclipsed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and his Pakistan-based terrorist core in the eyes of potential recruits and funders. Indeed, unlike al-Qaida, ISIS is on its way to controlling a quasi-state, exercising de facto sovereignty over a territory, even if unrecognized by the international community. The territory already under its control is larger than Israel, and it is not some barren desert: It includes oilfields, electrical grids, prisons, small manufacturing centers, and the weapon depots abandoned by the Iraqi military, including arms provided by the United States. When ISIS fighters conquered Mosul, they seized the central bankand its reported $425 million. By comparison, al-Qaidas budget before 9/11 was about $30 millionand we called it rich.
Everyone agrees an ISIS-controlled state could be deadlybut in what ways? We typically think of terrorist outfits like al-Qaida and ISIS as nonstate actors. But what does it mean when a nonstate actor carves itself a state?
The disaster is worst for those unlucky enough to find themselves living under ISIS rule. The jihadist groups extreme ideology calls for killing or subjugating not only Christians and Jews, but also many Muslims. Shiite Muslims, who make up a majority in Iraq, are particularly hated for their supposed apostasy, as are the Alawites who rule in Syria. ISIS also targets Sunni Muslims, if the group believes that they are insufficiently zealous or have collaborated with the United States or its allies, including the current Iraqi government. In Syria, ISIS members shot and then crucified the bodies of their Muslim enemies, leaving their corpses to hang as warnings. Beheading is common. Repent or die is its motto. ISIS is so violent, al-Qaida leader Zawahiri disavowed the group in February, excoriating it for its brutality and attacks against other jihadist fighters. Half a million Iraqis fled Mosul as ISIS forces entered the city, and hundreds of thousands more will surely flee wherever ISIS goes.
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http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2014/06/isis_storms_across_iraq_what_would_a_jihadist_state_look_like.html?
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What happens when terrorists carve themselves a state? (Original Post)
DonViejo
Jun 2014
OP
phantom power
(25,966 posts)1. calling them "terrorists" to begin with may be the mistake
mainer
(12,013 posts)2. We let them box themselves in and we give refuge to those fleeing them
Let the monsters have their own playpen. Uphold sanctions against them. Let them wreak havoc within their kingdom and eventually kill each other.
bigtree
(85,918 posts)3. for shitsakes, leave the 'terror' rhetoric for the politicians
. . .boogada, boogada, TERRORISTS!