Introduction The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has become among the best-recognized issues of the contemporary political landscape. Since its emergence, ISIS was subject to close attention to numerous international actors due to the potential threats it poses on the local and international scale. However, despite the best efforts of the policymakers of several states, it continues to flourish relatively uninhibited by the efforts. In order to address the shortcomings of the existing policies, it is necessary to create a coordinated effort that combines the military, economic, and ideological aspects of the counteractions and aims at a long-term effect in a comprehensive and sustainable way. Analysis Since its emergence, ISIS has continuously amassed military and political power and expanded its ideological influence. In its current state, it is a theocracy which adopts the extremist interpretation of Islam that recognizes violence as both acceptable and preferable in dealing with the infidels (the individuals or groups that do not recognize the religious doctrine). Under such conditions, it poses a real direct threat to nearby states. It is also reasonable to expect the creation of a similar threat on the international scale once the capacity of the organization reaches a necessary amount. It should be pointed out that while such motivation is not new and has been observed in other groups, the unique setting contributes to the unparalleled scale of the phenomenon. Specifically, the neoliberal approach to the reformation of the Arab World that aimed at creating a society with modern identity and culture resulted in the deterioration of the existing historical values without offering a viable alternative to the population (Khalil). Such a situation eventually created a sort of ideological vacuum that was readily filled in by the straightforward re-articulation of the universal state backed by the support of the religious texts (Khalil). Essentially, the neoliberal reform in the Middle East contributed to the buildup of the ISIS’ power and influence. Immediately after the recognition of the threat posed by ISIS, several key actors in the global arena responded with the policies aimed at suppressing its power. Their most recognizable aspect is the military effort, with airstrikes being the best-publicized iteration. The participants of the campaign include the U.S., Russia, Saudi Arabia, and numerous members of the respective coalitions. However, while the impact of such an approach is unmistakable, the actual outcome of the event is questionable. Numerous reports and analyses reveal that despite their potential, airstrikes do not have a significant impact on the ideological influence of ISIS and may even have enhanced it. In addition, on several occasions, the strikes have done significant damage to the infrastructure and resulted in civilian casualties (Sanger et al.). In addition, numerous countries decided to assist the military forces, either by providing arms and equipment or by training troops. This policy also resulted in a mixed outcome, as some evidence suggests that arms intended for allied use often end up in the hands of ISIS