Group items tagged

The article that I chose to put in our Diigo list was about ISIS's ability to sway younger people in foreign countries through their use of social media. According to this article, ISIS is recruiting people from the West (USA/EU) through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Kik and more. They are essentially the "new-age" terrorist organization because ISIS is able to very effectively use digital means to spread their message. For example, about two weeks ago, ISIS released a video in which they beheaded an American journalist. This video was posted on Facebook and Twitter and spread very, very quickly. Additionally, the article states that ISIS's recruitment message has been very successful as they have received hundreds of recruits from the West (USA/EU). Possibly as a response to the growing power of ISIS, today Germany decided to supply thousands of armaments to the Kurds in Iraq in order to fight off ISIS. I am curious to see how the USA handles in the situation with ISIS because they are obviously a group that has the capability to do a lot of damage but I doubt the USA wants to support a group that will eventually turn against them like the Mujahideen fighters in the 1980s.

It is alarming how quickly ISIS can recruit and spread information through social media. It truly is "online jihad 3.0".

Couldn't twitter and other online website deactivate their accounts? or block some of their posts or something, or is it a legal issue? ISIS seems appears to be an organized terrorist group. The fact that they have that kind of book keeping is strange. Their ability to publicize their actions and demands seems to put more pressure on the actions of intervening political parties.

Interesting article about how the US has stopped preforming counterterrorism missions in Syria against ISIS, which may allow ISIS to regroup

This particular article sparked my interest because it not only reports on the latest news (the beheading of a second American journalist), it also contextualizes the video, and directly addresses the rumors surrounding it (namely that the two videos were shot at once). Mr. Sotloff, the depicted journalist, was the second to have been beheaded by IS in response to American actions in the Middle East. He was beheaded, even though there were pleas to spare his life. Furthermore, SITE is rumored to have up to 30 journalists captured. I wonder how the US approach to the group will change in light of another beheading, and further possible executions.

This article makes me wonder what the US should do about this situation with ISIS. Should we go full on offensive and level everything in sight, or back off completely? I feel like doing something in between those two options would just antagonize ISIS further into killing more Americans. The outcome of this conflict seems like it is mainly in Obama's hands.

Oy, ISIS seems so beyond the pale. . . killing journalists, who are not fighting at all but working to get news out is so morally offensive. Good find, Bonnie.

This article details the activities of ISIS since its emergence in 2013. It really concise and provides great links to other more in depth articles. Nice way to summarize and frame ISIS.

This article is super interesting to me because it's the first time I have ever seen someone who isn't government related directly reach out to the ISIS and challenge them so well. I like how she studies Islam and tells Mr. Baghdadi that he is going directly against what his own religion preaches which I find super interesting. All in all great article and I hope Mr. Baghdadi responds well to her plea.

This article is super interesting to me because it's the first time I have ever seen someone who isn't government related directly reach out to the ISIS and challenge them so well. I like how she studies Islam and tells Mr. Baghdadi that he is going directly against what his own religion preaches which I find super interesting. All in all great article and I hope Mr. Baghdadi responds well to her plea.

I began my study of the ISIS conflict by reading an article about the Mosul Dam and how it was a crucial breaking point in the ISIS-Iraq conflict. The forces of ISIS previously spoke of blowing up the Mosul Dam when obtaining control, thus affecting Iraq from Mosul all the way down to Baghdad. Militant forces had been engaging in firefights with armed vehicles in villages surrounding the Mosul Dam and managed to gain control. The Kurdish military and Iraqi Forces, were not doing an adequate job fighting back from the eyes of the US, placing American representatives in the area in jeopardy. Obama ordered airstrikes and within two days of continuous air raids, the Sunni' fighters were subdued enough for the Kurdish and Iraqi forces to move in and retake the Mosul Dam. While Obama says this is not a sign that America is completely joining in so Iraqi and Syrian governments can return to a lack-luster, chaotic governing system, the heavy military presence on foreign soil does seem a bit concerning. Yet, what are the other options in defending fellow Americans? Perhaps the British don't have a large number of representatives in the area, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, made sure he informed his country that they would not be joining in the conflict to any extent. With ISIS militant forces inhabiting various other areas, danger seems to be looming in Iraq and Syria. I'm curious to see if any other foreign nations join into the conflict or let the forces stay enmeshed in conflict.

I liked this article a lot because it paints the slippery slope that the United States will face if they become even more involved with the ISIS situation. Currently, the only USA involvement has been airstrikes/ airs raids as the article states. Will Obama continue to approve of the air strikes or will the situation escalate to a point where boots on the ground are required?

Insight into the goals and values of ISIS. Interesting to compare with traditional Islam and how ISIS interprets the religion and then puts it into action. The opaque curtain between ISIS and the outside world has left a huge gap in our knowledge on how to predict their actions or defeat them. It's a really long article but if you only have time to skim: pay attention to the large statements in bold and sections the reading is organized in to learn about specific aspects of their regime.

"In December, The New York Times published confidential comments by Major General Michael K. Nagata, the Special Operations commander for the United States in the Middle East, admitting that he had hardly begun figuring out the Islamic State's appeal. "We have not defeated the idea," he said. "We do not even understand the idea." In the past year, President Obama has referred to the Islamic State, variously, as "not Islamic" and as al-Qaeda's "jayvee team," statements that reflected confusion about the group, and may have contributed to significant strategic errors." Wow. That's concerning!

When we think of the rise of ISIS, we often consider the people joining ISIS and their motivations, but often forget to consider what made them choose ISIS instead of a different Jihadist group (namely Al Qaeda). This article addresses that and much more in very accessible diction.

A young man stabbed 59-year-old man multiple times. The victim is in the hospital and remains in critical condition. The attacker was arrested and his actions are linked to terrorist behavior, specifically for ISIS. Australia as a whole has become increasingly "radical" over the past few years.

This article is interesting in that it explains the US condoned airstrikes and military presence in Syria from the point of view of Syrian citizens. We've discussed in class how the US has developed a mentality where we assume a) that we are a well-liked global super power and b) that we are morally obligated to get involved in any conflict given our national power/influence. However, this article shows that some Syrian citizens are deeply disturbed by the presence of the United States, as air strikes have destroyed several communities of non-ISIS supporters and have caused numerous casualties. Additionally, the constant air strikes seem to have had the opposite effect of what was intended: many Syrians have developed anti-American attitudes and have begun to identify with ISIS. So, basically, the very actions we have taken to eliminate ISIS have increased public support of the Islamic State. That is not to say that every (or even the majority of) Syrians now support ISIS, but it is interesting to take a look at the repercussions of our actions in the eyes of a nation that is directly affected.

I chose this article because I felt that it gave a better view of the conflict happening in Iraq. The article shows how divided the Iraqi factions are, as well as shining a light on what the goals and motivations of the groups are. I feel that it is important for us as a class to look into what drives ISIS and I think this article is a good starting point.

Similar to what Dr. Bradley said, I wonder if the militias that were funded by Iran are simply mercenaries or are actually loyal to the country. Is it possible that this is Iran's attempt to grab land for a weak Iraq?

I was shocked and at the same time not so surprised to find out about the many separate factions and flags flying throughout Iran and Iraq in this multifaceted crisis. The quests for power that these militant groups are involved in has called many "volunteers" to the forefront of the militant groups political and religious ambitions. I'm curious to know about the situations in the areas of the many "volunteers". Are they in areas that have already been compromised, thus they don't mind going to sacrifice their life on a daily basis fighting, or they are so devoted to their religion that they really won't stand to see their sacred Shiite shrine bombed by Sunni factions? As Dr. Bradley questioned, where are all these weapons coming from? How many militant groups are as "sensible" as the Peace Brigade?

This article is about the US giving weapons to the Kurds to help them fight ISIS. It talks about how the US faces no threats while dropping the weapons and that they supplies dropped were highly needed. The Kurds are resisting ISIS from conquering their land. ISIS has sent in many troops into areas around Kurdish territories in an attempt to seize the land.

ISIS makes its fortune by selling oil from seized territory to its enemies, including the Syrian government it has vowed to topple and to Kurds in Iraq, a U.S. official said Thursday. The official, Undersecretary David Cohen of the Treasury Department, is in charge of cracking down on ISIS finances.

Maps clearly and simply illustrate the progress ISIS is making in Syria and Iraq over time, labeled as "ISIS sanctuaries". This way you can have a visual representation of ISIS's power because the land they control often is oil-rich, so with it come people and capital.

To understand the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and why they are doing what theyre doing, it is extremely important to understand their background as it explains their motivation. This source explains the backround of ISIS in great detail- from their roots in Al Qaeda to the Paris shootings. Long, but well interesting and well organized.

"Istanbul (CNN)One of the world's most volatile regions was roiled further Tuesday when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkey said it hit the plane after it repeatedly violated Turkey's airspace and ignored 10 warnings. "

If you're on break and don't have time to really read the article: - one of the two pilots was killed in the Russian jet that was shot down (they were military personnel) -Putin says this will result in "serious consequences" in reference to the relationship between Russia and Turkey -There are no ISIS members in this area so it makes the people who are allied with the USA in the fight against ISIS are enemies too, which takes the focus away from defeating ISIS -NATO called an emergency meeting which indicated the severity of the situation as far as international diplomacy goes and it seems like more officials (President Obama included) think that there is a high risk for this incident to lead to an escalation or a breaking point in the Middle East for the current tension between countries.... so essentially the takeaway is: this is really bad

The Iraqi military announced Sunday that it had agreed to share intelligence about the Islamic State with Russia, the Syrian government and Iran, an agreement that caught the Obama administration off guard. The Iraqi military said in a statement that the new agreement was necessary because thousands of volunteers who have joined the Islamic State have come from Russia.

PARIS - France will join the coalition of Western and Middle Eastern countries carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday, with the first strikes likely to come in the next couple of weeks.

Mevlut Cavusoglu has declared that the Turkish government will now aid the Iraqi Kurdish forces, known as pesh merga, into the Syrian town of Kobani. Forces of international powers are feeling pressure to push back against the Islamic State rather than making Iraqi Kurdish forces to fight alone against ISIS. The U.S. has already begun airdropping supplies to the Kurdish forces, but Turkey has refused the Kurdish forces to move through Turkey in the past, because Kurdish forces have threatened the autonomy of Turkey in the past. Yet, desperate times call for desperate measures and many International powers are claiming that ISIL/ISIS is picking up steam in their counter-attacks.