ISIS, Geopolitics, and the Fractured Middle East
ISIS, Geopolitics, and the Fractured Middle East In the intricate web of Middle Eastern geopolitics, the Islamic State (ISIS), also known as ISIL or Daesh, emerges as a haunting apparition forged from the crucible of conflict, radical ideology, and unforeseen ramifications of international interventions. Born amid the turmoil following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, ISIS swiftly evolved into a self-proclaimed caliphate that redrew maps with brutality, captivating global attention through its reign of terror while capitalizing on deep-seated sectarian rifts and governance failures. Although its territorial dominion was shattered by 2019 through relentless international coalitions, ISIS persists not as a vanquished entity but as a metamorphosed insurgency, lurking in shadows across Syria, Iraq, Libya, Africa, and Asia. This expansive exploration unravels ISIS's lingering territorial footholds, its convoluted origins, and the multifaceted roles played by key actors such as the ...