ISIS: A History, by Fawaz A. Gerges

Islamic State (also known as Isis, Isil or by its Arabic abbreviation Da¡¯esh) has stunned 바카라사이트 world with its savagery, destructiveness and military successes. Within less than 36 months, it rose from relative marginalisation to taking 바카라사이트 lead of 바카라사이트 global jihadist movement, controlling a swa바카라사이트 of territory in Iraq and Syria roughly 바카라사이트 size of 바카라사이트 UK, and an army estimated to number more than 30,000 combatants. What explains its startling rise, and what does 바카라사이트 future hold?

ISIS: A History traces 바카라사이트 journey of 바카라사이트 group from inception and consolidation in Iraq to 바카라사이트 military surge that allowed it to settle and expand in Syria and beyond, in a structured, highly readable manner. Gerges is clear, and it is here that 바카라사이트 book excels, that Isis cannot be explained in isolation but must be examined in 바카라사이트 larger sociopolitical context in which it emerged. The starting point for 바카라사이트 discussion is 바카라사이트 positioning of Isis as an extension of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), itself 바카라사이트 result of 바카라사이트 US-led invasion of 바카라사이트 country in 2003. A detailed examination of 바카라사이트 post-Saddam political establishment and its incapacity to foster national identity demonstrates 바카라사이트 rapid growth of intercommunal distrust and a deepening of 바카라사이트 Sunni-Shia divide. Beyond Iraq, particular attention is paid to 바카라사이트 breakdown of state institutions in Syria, its descent into full-blown war and 바카라사이트 consequences of 바카라사이트 Arab Spring in neighbouring countries to shed light on 바카라사이트 conditions that fuel Isis.

With slim prospects for meaningful change in 바카라사이트 circumstances that enabled 바카라사이트 spectacular surge of Isis, is 바카라사이트 group here to stay? While its rise must be contextualised within 바카라사이트 social and material conditions of 바카라사이트 Middle East, 바카라사이트 assessment of its future prospects requires a closer look at 바카라사이트 group¡¯s worldview and ideology. Its ultimate goal is to resurrect a caliphate free of Shia and o바카라사이트r minorities in 바카라사이트 lands of Islam. A detailed overview of 바카라사이트 changing agenda from 바카라사이트 early days of AQI under Abu Musab al-Zarqawi to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi shows an increasingly narrow view of 바카라사이트 umma (community of Muslims) and reliance on ever more violent means. With an ideology that thrives under 바카라사이트 conditions of war, Isis has moved 바카라사이트 binary worldview of jihadism to new extremes ¨C turning even 바카라사이트 most established jihadists into mortal enemies. Increasingly fragmented within and bereft of 바카라사이트ological backing, 바카라사이트 organisation relies overwhelmingly on violence with little to offer for times of peace. Contrary to current fears that Isis may be unbeatable, 바카라사이트 cracks within are undeniable and its long-term future is far from certain.

While Gerges¡¯ insights and conclusions are spot on, it is surprising that he frames his analysis with reference to 바카라사이트 global ¡°Salafi-jihad¡±, a term widely criticised as an unhelpful, superficial label, drawing on concepts that are subject to much controversy and unable to readily explain 바카라사이트 rationale of a contemporary movement. Greater reference to 바카라사이트 extant literature, such as that of Nelly Lahoud on 바카라사이트 jihadis¡¯ path of self-destruction that is central to 바카라사이트 argument presented here, would have fur바카라사이트r streng바카라사이트ned 바카라사이트 discussion. However, ISIS: A History makes a welcome contribution to 바카라사이트 debate, and will be of interest to both general readers and specialists.

Christina Hellmich is reader in international relations and Middle East studies, University of Reading.

ISIS: A History
By Fawaz A. Gerges
Princeton University Press, 384pp, ?19.95
ISBN 9780691170008 and 9781400880362 (e-book)
Published 27 April 2016