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In June 2014, the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria formally declared themselves "a caliphate," or "an Islamic state."
What is a caliphate?
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""ISIS also said that from now on it would be known simply as "the Islamic State". The BBC's Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, says the declaration harks back to the rise of Islam, when the Prophet Muhammad's followers conquered vast territories in the Middle Ages. The Sunni-Shia split has its origins in a dispute over the succession to Muhammad. " 1 Use the information below to learn about and take the perspective of each country or group and their stance on the current conflict in the Middle East. |
United States
Our coalition is on the offensive, ISIL is on the defensive and ISIL is going to lose. (Obama, 2015)
Read the New York Times article linked below discussing America's thoughts on Iran providing aid and weapons to Iraq in the fight against ISIS. Iran Sent Arms to Iraq to Fight ISIS, U.S. Says by Eric Schmitt Linked below is the Council of Foreign Affairs' Senior Fellow Elliot Abrams' outline on what the United States is looking to do next in Iraq and Syria as events continue to unfold. He explains the goals of the United States as "to alleviate the humanitarian and refugee crisis; to prevent an Iranian victory in Syria; and to strike devastating blows at the Islamic State."
Next Steps for U.S. Foreign Policy on Syria and Iraq |
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Iraq Government
"[Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi] was formally appointed to office on September 8, inheriting a country that was essentially in ruins. A third of Iraq had fallen to the Sunni militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), including Mosul, the country’s second-largest city; the Kurds had moved to take oil-rich Kirkuk and threatened to secede; and the Shia were bracing for further ISIS advances." 2 |
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After months of uncertainty and political wrangling, Iraq has a new government, led by Shiite Haider al-Abadi. 3
Iraqi PM talks Iran, IS and Saudi Arabia
by Ghassan Charbel; translated by Sami-Joe Abboud |
In January 2015, Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi took part in an interview conducted by Arab newspaper al-Hayat to discuss the relations between Iraq and Iran and Iran's growing influence in the fight against ISIS. In the interview, Abadi disclosed several points about foreign relations and politics. He noted that the focus has shifted away from the Bashar al-Assad regime and the efforts to remove him from power and towards the Islamic State. He also commented on the Iraqi government's push towards the US and Iran to [at least] momentarily settled their differences in order to defeat the current issue. Read the full text of the interview linked below.
What do Iraqis Think of Iran? |
Syrian Government
Visit the website of Bashar al-Assad to see speeches, interviews and more.
Bashar al-Assad |
Read and listen to the NPR broadcast linked below that describes the violent acts by Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria that are being overshadowed by ISIS. Brutal Acts By ISIS Eclipse Reports Of Violence By Syria's Assad Regime by Alice Fordham Read a short article from a Syrian newspaper about how Syria President al-Assad is fighting the war against terrorism in order to reform his country.
The Voice of the Syrian People by Dr. Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim |
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
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Periodically, ISIS releases a magazine entitled 'Dabiq,' which "focuses on the issues of tawhid (unity), manhaj (truth-seeking), hijrah (migration), jihad (holy war) and jama'ah (community). It will also contain photo reports, current events, and informative articles on matters relating to the Islamic State."
It portrays the Islamic State as they see themselves: boasting of their victories and painting a romantic image of the restoration of an Islamic golden age and the heralding of a "glorious" new caliphate based on holy war." 4 View editions of the propaganda magazine and read further information about it through the Clarion Project linked below. The Islamic State's (ISIS, ISIL) Magazine |
" "Muslims who call the Islamic State un-Islamic are typically "embarrassed and politically correct, with a cotton-candy view of their own religion" that neglects "what their religion has historically and legally required...People want to absolve Islam. It;s this 'Islam is a religion of peace' mantra. As if there is such a thing as 'Islam'! It's what Muslims do, ad how they interpret their texts." Those texts are shared by all Sunni Muslims, not just the Islamic State. 'And these guys have just as much legitimacy as anyone else." "
Read of the rest of the article by Graeme Wood in the March 2015 edition of The Atlantic, linked below.
What ISIS Really Wants
Read of the rest of the article by Graeme Wood in the March 2015 edition of The Atlantic, linked below.
What ISIS Really Wants
Iran
Read the New York Times article linked below about how Iran is gaining significance and influence in the right against ISIS.
Iran Gains Influence in Iraq as Shiite Forces Fight ISIS by Anne Barnard Read the executive summary linked below to learn about why Iran is supporting President Bashar al-Assad in the fight against ISIS:
Iranian Strategy in Syria by Will Fulton, Joseph Holliday, and Sam Wyer |
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Citizens in Iraq and Syria
"The U.N. and the world have failed, and things have gotten worse for civilians," says Gawain Kripke, director of policy and research at Oxfam America. (NPR, Morning Edition)
Read Syrian responses when asked about the War against ISIS and western intervention linked below.
The War on ISIS: Views From Syrian Activists and Intellectuals by Danny Postel Read a New York Times op-ed article linked below about the black out that Syria is facing due to air strikes.
The Carnage of Barrel Bombing in Syria by Abdel |
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Citations
1. "Isis Rebels Declare 'Islamic State'" BBC News. June 30, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015.
2. "Mending Iraq." Foreign Affairs. March 18, 2015. Accessed March 18, 2015.
3. Chappell, Bill. "Iraqi Parliament Approves New Government Led By Abadi." NPR. September 8, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015
4. "The Islamic State's (ISIS, ISIL) Magazine | Clarion Project." ClarionProject.org. September 10, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015.
2. "Mending Iraq." Foreign Affairs. March 18, 2015. Accessed March 18, 2015.
3. Chappell, Bill. "Iraqi Parliament Approves New Government Led By Abadi." NPR. September 8, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015
4. "The Islamic State's (ISIS, ISIL) Magazine | Clarion Project." ClarionProject.org. September 10, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015.