The Islamic State
Subtitle: a brief introduction
By: Charles R. Lister
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 110
ISBN-13: 9780815726685; 9780815726678
Subjects: History; Islamic fundamentalism; IS (Organization); General; POLITICAL SCIENCE; Security (National & International); Terrorism; HISTORY; Islam
Description: "In 2014, the Islamic state seemingly appeared out of nowhere, routing Iraqi forces, conquering Iraq's second-largest city, boldly announcing the establishment of a caliphate, and declaring itself the Islamic State (IS). In this definitive guide to the Islamic State and its senior leadership, Charles R. Lister traces its roots from the release of its notorious father figure, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, from a Jordanian prison and the group's formation in Afghanistan in the late-1990s, and finally to its stunning maturation in Iraq and Syria. The West knows IS through its unrelenting propaganda war. Behind the deft use of social media and the slick videos of despicable acts is what amounts to a proto-state. Lister shares details of IS's sophisticated revenue machine, attempts at governing, and its formidable military. With IS knocking on the doors of Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, Lister's portrait helps us understand what to expect next and recommends a course of action to defeat IS, extinguish extremism, and encourage a tolerant Islam across the Middle East."--Provided by publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 87-101) and index.

English.
Table of contents: title: Introduction : more than a terrorist organization; title: "Lasting and expanding"; title: The emerging Islamic State; title: Degrading and destroying the Islamic State; title: Appendix: Who's who in the Islamic State senior leadership.