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 Kurds Yazidis 20% of Iraq Live in “Sunni triangle” Shiite Arabs 68% of Iraq Shiites live only in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and India Kurds 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 in Iraq Al-Zarqawi & Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Foundations set by al-Zarqawi & ISI Strict interpretation of Islamic texts Salafist and Takfiri Teachings Beyond Global Jihadism Short term goals Islamic Caliphate over Middle East Long term goals Global Influence

ISIL’s Ideology Actors Icons Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Ayman al-Zawahiri Religious Scholars Issue fatwas Strategic Thinkers 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, Facebook, Instagram “Twitter bombs” Social Media Branding #hashtag branding YouTube 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