1. Can ISIS (Daesh) ever be defeated?
Katie, Charlotte, John, Monty and Alessia

2. The rise of ISIS…
Officially established in 1999, however ISIS itself declared their caliphate on the 29th of June 2014
Due to the detainment of known Islamic extremists in Camp Bucca in Iraq, the new theocracy was able to be established and an educated and “qualified” leader, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi emerged
The decline in al-Qaeda during and after camp Bucca was closed led to an increase in support for ISIS.
Over 42 different militant groups have now pledged allegiance to them such as Boko Haram
As of today 28,000 overseas recruits have left their own country in order to join ISIS

3. Factors leading to their “success”…
Western media is often featured in their propaganda, such as Sun headlines that may be seen as victimising the Muslim community in Britain
The lack of Sunni representatives in the aftermath government of the Iraq war is one of the main reasons for the numbers that ISIS has drawn in. In their eyes the west had alienated them and ISIS have offered them the representation that they craved in the first place
Many people, not necessarily of the Muslim faith, may feel isolated in their own countries and ISIS presents the idea of being able to be a hero and fight for a cause, This may seem attractive to individuals who feel as though they have no belonging or it may even be as simple as drawing in people who want to live out their video game fantasies
ISIS’s worth is also an important factor as they are worth approximately $2 billion dollars. This allows them to have their own: postal service, propaganda, taxis, donations to the pour labour services. They have achieved this wealth through the implementation of taxes, taking over of churches to use as donation centres for the poor, selling oil from the oil fields, human trafficking and general theft and looting.

4. How to counteract these factors…
Rather than censoring the media, the government could propose a sort of deal in order to reduce the amount of islamaphobic pieces printed as these feature heavily in ISIS’s propaganda and majorly back up the idea of western hatred towards Muslims
In order to reduce their wealth that enables them to provide and draw in new recruits with the prospect of a better life by: restricting their access to oil, stricter surveillance on black market antiquity trades
Boots on the ground is an obvious option but due to it previous results it is a questionable action as it could lead to greater resentment and it would be a costly process
Funding another group to go into the controlled areas is also a direct tactic however as-Assad would be a moral hazard and the rebel groups are unreliable we would have to consider our options
Negotiation is an unlikely but an ideal solution as it would result in less casualties but it could be seen as an ISIS victory and due to their belief in creating a Islamic Empire it would not appeal to the extremists

5. After ISIS…
‘’Defeated ISIS fighters would spread throughout Western Europe and the US’’ FBI Director James Comey-As ISIS have lost territory, terror attacks have increased, as shown by events of 2016.
‘’We must look at the social, economic and political factors that help fuel these groups.’’ Barack Obama
‘Smash and Leave’ theory. Used in Afghanistan, Iraq, only leaves ‘terror heavens, humanitarian and refugee crisis’s. It would also leave energy markets which are key to the west vulnerable.
‘’It is very likely that if the US does topple ISIS today’s debate will repeat itself shortly thereafter when the next militant group steps up.’’ e.g Jabhat al-Nursa.
Outcome depends on who is responsible for defeat.
‘A new governing model to resolve the regions post-Arab spring crisis of the state.’’ would have to represent all Muslim groups, so bring about challenges of starting a dialogue.