Analise and Hope ISIL IN IRAQ ABOUT THE

Analise and Hope ISIL IN IRAQ

ABOUT THE CONFLICT � Between the Islamic State in the Levant and the states in which it operates � � � ISIL & Syria currently Threats of Nigeria & Libya Affiliates in other countries � Analysis of the causes and consequences of spread of global terrorism � Consequences: � Cultural � Political � Economic

KEY ETHNIC IDENTITIES � Sunni Arabs � � � Shiite Arabs � � � 68% of Iraq Shiites live only in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and India Kurds � � 20% of Iraq Live in “Sunni triangle” Make up 15 -18% of Iraq Most are Sunni Mostly live in North Yazidis � Approx. 300, 000 in Iraq � Kurdish & Zoroastrian

U. S. INVOLVEMENT � 2003: U. S. Invasion of Iraq � 2006: Appointment of PM Nouri al-Maliki � 2011: U. S. troops leave, Maliki solidifies ethnic divides � 2 campaigns establish ISIL support network � “Breaking the Walls” � “Soldiers Harvest”

THE BIRTH OF ISIL � Ideological split from Al-Qaeda � Al-Zarqawi & Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi � Foundations set by al-Zarqawi & ISI � Strict interpretation of Islamic � Salafist and Takfiri Teachings � Beyond Global � Short term goals � � Islamic Caliphate over Middle East Long term goals � Jihadism Global Influence in Iraq texts

ISIL’S IDEOLOGY ACTORS � � Icons � Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi � Ayman al-Zawahiri Religious Scholars � � Strategic Thinkers � � � Issue fatwas Young members of militant groups Ideological Actors � Use of propaganda and justifications � Rely heavily on recruitment Grassroots Radicals � Indirect online spread of jihadism

ISIL ON SOCIAL MEDIA � Twitter, � “Twitter bombs” � Social � Facebook, Instagram Media Branding #hashtag branding � You. Tube � � Violent videos of attacks Videos showing fighters living well � Phone � Apps “Dawn of Good Tidings”

ISIL IN THE PRINT MEDIA � Dabiq � Islamic State Report

KEY FINDINGS � ISIL uses religious ideology as justification for gaining power � Apostacy � First terror network with a successful social media campaign � Uses as way to gain recruits abroad, uses as a fear tactic domestically � ISIL’s current operations are economically unsustainable � Lacks long-term sustainability � Western � response required Undermining of ISIL propaganda tactics

IMPLICATIONS � International: West should undermine propaganda tactics � Bring to light: � ISIL crimes � ISIL military failures � Infighting between ISIL & al-Qaeda � Domestic: Creation of a common Iraqi nationalist identity � Joint committees & organizations to stabilize and bring unity to Iraq