The "Basics" of ISIS

Numerous poles find that foreign policy is the #1 priority in American's minds especially in the upcoming election. Foreign policy is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states. For example, how we "handle" the troubles in the middle east has been a major point of contention displayed on every news channel. It seems that within the first 5 minutes of watching the news you will more than likely here something about ISIS and the "war on terror".

Who is ISIS?

The rise of the militant terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been a point of concern with the American people for longer than you may realize. ISIS didn't recently assemble in their war on the infidels. ISIS was originally known as the radical Sunni terrorist organization al Qaeda in Iraq before re-branding in 2004. They hold many similarities to Osama Bin Laden's al Queda and were even allies before they disowned the group in 2014. Both groups are radical anti-western Muslims whose ultimate goal is to eliminate the infidels, or non-Muslims, and establish an independent state in their region. They also believe in killing off moderate Muslims who don't agree or join in their quest for elimination. In June 2014, the group declared the establishment of a caliphate". This is a state governed in accordance with Islamic law, or Sharia, by God's deputy on Earth. They called for Muslims from around the world to follow their lead in their war against the infidels and swear allegiance to their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. They welcome fighting against the US-lead coalition and view it as the first step in the inevitable end-of-times showdown between Muslims and non-Muslims described in Islamic apocalyptic prophecies. ISIS has proven to be the more violent of the two terrorist groups and relies on social media, especially Twitter and Facebook, to recruit their members from around the world and even from the United States. 

Why is ISIS so strong?

What ISIS doesn't realize about themselves is that they resemble the Western civilizations they hate so much. They have governors, financial advisers, and legislative bodies similar to the United States. They have these governing structures to govern the lands they seize. Their power base is located in Raqqa in eastern Syria. ISIS controls more than half of 
Syria's oil assets as well as some in Iraq. The profit made from the sale of oil funds their terror. They seize these lands so successfully by armed expertise and unimaginable terror and raids against the innocent people inhabiting the land they desire. 

ISIS was reported by the US Director for National Intelligence James Clapper to consist of anywhere from 20,000 to 32,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria. Nicholas Rasmussen, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Centethere, told congress in February of 2015 that in the past year 20,000 foreign fighters joined ISIS's efforts from 90 different countries and roughly 150 of these foreign fighters have come from the United States. 

They have also called for Muslims in western countries to lead attacks at home. ISIS is known for drawing in westerners to train in their camps in Iraq and Syria and bring back the things they've learned to their own countries. The San Bernardino shooting is a prime example of this. They reach the masses by recruiting through social media.

Why do they hate America?

ISIS and other radical jihadist groups hate everything America stands for: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, equality of men and women, and so on and so forth. The Qur'an, which is interpreted literally by the radical Muslims such as ISIS, to say “slay them [infidels] wherever ye catch them” (Chapter 2, Verse 191). ISIS believes they are the only "true believers". They use this logic to justify killing non-Muslims and moderate Muslims alike. 

Are all Muslims terrorists?

No absolutely not! This is a very common misconception. There are two main branches of the Muslim religion, Sunni and Shi'a, but there are also many subsects to the religion much like Christianity. Westerners, often times, generalize the Shia Muslims as the more moderate group and the Sunnis as radicals due to al Queda  and ISIS being Sunni terrorist groups. But at the same time, the west views Iran as being inhabited with radical terrorists despite the fact that they are predominantly Shia. Saying that the Sunnis are radicals and the Shias are moderate would be too simple. There are radicals in each group. According to a pole conducted by Gallup, Inc. 93% of Muslims are non-violent moderates. These peaceful Muslims denounce ISIS and other radical Muslims who scar the face of the Muslim religion.