• Research
  • Politika
  • About
Carnegie Russia Eurasia center logoCarnegie lettermark logo
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Maha Yahya",
    "Rod Nordland",
    "Christopher Gunness",
    "Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi",
    "Wayne White"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Gulf",
    "Levant",
    "Iraq",
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security"
  ]
}

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

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.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Will Russia–Armenia Relations Improve Following Pashinyan’s Re-Election?

    For all the menacing rhetoric, the Armenian prime minister remains a leader with whom Putin is prepared to interact: not as an ally, but as a partner, albeit a problematic one.

      • Alexander Atasuntsev

      Alexander Atasuntsev

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Who Does Azerbaijan Want to See Win Armenia’s Elections?

    By fueling the arguments of both supporters and opponents of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijan wants to ensure he is re-elected with a weaker mandate.

      Bashir Kitachaev

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Russia’s Elite Conflict Over Internet Restrictions Does Not Herald Regime Collapse

    A much-discussed disagreement over internet restrictions in Russia was never an existential threat for Putin: It was about elite groups protecting their interests.  

      Alexandra Prokopenko

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Is Belarus Really Set to Return to the Ukraine War?

    By reminding the world that Lukashenko is a threat to NATO and Ukraine, Kyiv is trying to return the focus to why the Belarusian regime needs to be contained rather than rewarded.

      Artyom Shraibman

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Russian Market Sours for Belarusian State Companies

    Minsk’s faith in the future of its larger neighbor’s economy is fading as Belarusian firms in Russia see record losses.    

      Olga Loiko

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Carnegie Russia Eurasia logo, white
  • Research
  • Politika
  • About
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.