The Islamist Phoenix: The Islamic State and the Redrawing of the Middle East
2015; United States Army War College; Volume: 45; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0031-1723
Autores Tópico(s)Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
ResumoThe Islamist Phoenix: The Islamic State and the Redrawing of the Middle East By Loretta Napoleoni New York, NY: Seven Stories Press, 2014 160 pages $11.95 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since its inception in June 2014 when ISIS released statement announcing the establishment of the Caliphate, not single day has passed without the media reporting some activity by this notorious extremist organization. For example, the weekly magazine The Economist reported that ISIS is spreading fear, but is losing ground. (March 21-27, 2015) The Christian Science Monitor Weekly reported ISIS is sophisticated, lethal and growing in numbers, but will not become global force. (March 30, 2015) Some reporters treat ISIS as just another annoyance, while others question the ability of the West to deal with this new brand of terrorist organization effectively. No matter how the media treat ISIS, one important thing must be kept in mind: in the post-World War II period, no armed group has ever carved out such large territory. It is an armed organization redesigning the map of the Middle East drawn by the French and the British with the Sykes-Picot Accord of 1946. In her book, The Islamist Phoenix, Loretta Napoleoni argues that, while the Western media treats ISIS as little more than gang of thugs on winning streak, the organization is proposing new model of nation-building that relies on globalization and modern technology, (xiv) According to Napoleoni, ISIS and its leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi are viewed by many Sunnis in Iraq as an Islamist phoenix risen from the ashes of Abu Musab al Zarqawi's jihad. (14) ISIS's spiritual leader, al Baghdadi, presents himself to members of the Caliphate as man with honorable qualities, and traces his lineage to the Prophet Mohammad. In one of his official appearance after being elected Caliph, al Baghdadi spoke inside the Grand Mosque of Mosul dressed in the traditional attire of an imam. (16) In his speech to his followers, al Baghdadi shows himself as a wise and pragmatic religious leader telling them, am the wait [leader] who presides over you, though I am not the best of you, so if you see that I am right, assist me. If you see that I am wrong, advise me and put me on the right track, and obey me as long as I obey God in you. (17) Al Baghdadi also portrays ISIS to its followers (and the world) not as the monstrous organization represented by the Western media. Instead, al Baghdadi presents ISIS as legitimate organization fighting the alliance between corrupted Muslim elites in the Middle East and Western powers. (78) Therefore, al Baghdadi has said those who can immigrate to the Islamic State should immigrate, as immigration to the house of Islam is duty. (76) He also called upon all Muslims to join the Caliphate to reconnect with their roots. This call also served as means of creating Arab identity. …
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