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Source: Getty

In The Media
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

ISIS: Is the Caliphate Cracking?

There are signs of internal dissension within the self-proclaimed Islamic State. But even if it is in partial retreat, it is a likely threat in the Middle East—and to Western interests—for years to come.

Link Copied
By Maha Yahya, Rod Nordland, Christopher Gunness, Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, Wayne White
Published on Apr 9, 2015
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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: KCRW’s To the Point

The losses of Kobani in Syria and Tikrit in Iraq are being taken as evidence that the so-called Islamic State is in trouble. Its revenue is reportedly drying up, and untrained recruits are replacing experienced soldiers. But ISIS still is spreading terror.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi is due at the White House on Tuesday, and it’s all about the war against ISIS, the so-called Islamic State. Last year, ISIS looked like the world’s most dangerous terrorist group—intent on restoring the Caliphate that once ruled all Muslims. Unique for extreme brutality and brilliant Internet propaganda, ISIS forced the United States and Iran into an unlikely coalition against it. Now, ISIS is losing captured territory, its sources of money and even competent soldiers. There are signs of internal dissension. But even if it's in partial retreat, it’s a likely threat in the Middle East—and to Western interests—for years to come.

Guests:
Rod Nordland, New York Times (@rodnordland)
Christopher Gunness, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (@ChrisGunness)
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, Middle East Forum (@ajaltamimi)
Wayne White, Middle East Policy Council (@middleeastinst)
Maha Yahya, Carnegie Middle East Center (@CarnegieMEC)

This apperance was originally broadcast on KCRW’s To the Point.

About the Authors

Maha Yahya

Director, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Maha Yahya is director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, where her research focuses on citizenship, pluralism, and social justice in the aftermath of the Arab uprisings.

Rod Nordland

Christopher Gunness

Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi

Wayne White

Authors

Maha Yahya
Director, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Maha Yahya
Rod Nordland
Christopher Gunness
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
Wayne White
Political ReformSecurityGulfLevantIraqMiddle 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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