The Origins of ISIS: The Collapse of Nations and Revolution in the Middle East

by Simon Mabon, Stephen Royle

The rapid expansion of ISIS and its swathe of territorial gains across the Middle East have been headline news since 2013. Yet much media attention and analysis has been focussed upon the military exploits, brutal tactics and radicalisation methods employed by the group. While ISIS remains a relatively new phenomenon, it is important to consider the historical and local dynamics that have shaped the emergence of the group in the past decade. In this book Simon Mabon and Stephen Royle provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the roots, tactics and ideology of the group, exploring the interactions of the various participants involved in the formative stages of ISIS. Based on original scholarly sources and first-hand research in the region, this book provides an authoritative and closely-analysed look at the emergence of one of the defining forces of the early twenty-first century.

248 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2017

Reviews

[teohjitkhiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

As of this date of this review, the Wahabist-derived & -inspired Islamic State still exist, although in a rather battered & truncated form. However, the authors of this book, in their summary at the end, is of the opinion that a military solution is no solution at all to the vexing issue of Islamic State and the terror that it entails. This book complements McCant's brief biography of Caliph Baghdadi & Steed's accounting of the Islamic State's early inception under Al-Zarqawi in Afghanistan as Jamaat al Tawhid wal Jihad.

Mabon & Royel explains that a conflation of tribal & sectarian interests acted as combustible fodder, together with the U.S. occupation, providing the tinder that sparked the fire that is Islamic State. The authors excoriate the post-Saddam Iraqi government, especially that of the al-Maliki administration, as pouring fuel into the fire by accentuating sectarian discrimination. External neighboring actors are considered just as complicit for backing the various warring parties in Iraq, in particular Ankara, Riyadh, & Tehran pouring support to the various armed groups operating in the conflict zone.

Uninformed & having poor knowledge of complexities of the Middle East, I beg to differ from the authors & would imagine perhaps it is high time for Iraq to be acknowledged as three distinct autonomous statelets (Sunni Arabs, Syiah Arabs, & Kurds) functioning under a loose federation. The comparison to al-Sauds, as an example for Iraq, consolidating their rule in Saudi Arabia is not apt as their founder cemented his legitimacy by marrying himself to the daughters' of the various tribal chiefs. However, I stand to be corrected in both regards.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and well reasoned, however a bit difficult to read for those with not much knowledge on Middle Eastern conflicts in the late 20th and early 21st century.

[Izak Miklavčič · Rating 4 out of 5]

too focussed on iraq