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Source: Getty

In The Media
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Who’s Sending What to Combat IS?

It remains to be seen what role Arab countries will play in combined international efforts to defeat the Islamic State.

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By Mario Abou Zeid
Published on Sep 15, 2014
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Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: ABC Radio National’s RN Drive

Speaking on ABC Radio National's RN Drive, Carnegie’s Mario Abou Zeid said that the United States is attempting to integrate an Islamic State alliance and limit its funding and support for efforts to hunt down Islamic State leadership and fighters. However, Abou Zeid pointed out that in order to defeat the jihadist group, a three-pronged approach must be looked at, one that includes not only a military strategy, but also a strategy for religious and cultural reform.

Abou Zeid warned that the sectarian dimension of the conflict cannot be ignored. If, for example, any Shiite force were to join the alliance against the Islamic State, it would give the jihadist group the justification to present itself as a victim of regional Shiite expansion, and thus, enable the group to recruit more fighters and gain power in the region’s Sunni communities.

This interview was originally broadcast on ABC Radio National’s RN Drive.

About the Author

Mario Abou Zeid

Former Research Analyst, Middle East Center

Abou Zeid was a research analyst at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his work focuses on political developments in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

    Recent Work

  • In The Media
    Lebanese Presidential Elections

      Mario Abou Zeid

  • Article
    The Emerging Jihadist Threat in Lebanon

      Mario Abou Zeid

Mario Abou Zeid
Former Research Analyst, Middle East Center
Mario Abou Zeid
Political ReformSecurityMilitaryForeign PolicyReligionGulfLevantSyriaIraqNorth AmericaUnited StatesMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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