Although ISIS has been around since the early 2000’s, they have not gained
significant momentum until recently. With the recent beheadings over the summer,
and the number of territories they have seized, they have been striking fear in the
hearts of Americans and many others across the globe. Cultural and Religious
differences are one of the main driving forces behind the Islamic States rage. The
main goal of this terrorist organization is to form an Islamic state over the Middle
East. Stretching from Turkey, to Syria, to Egypt, to Jordan, to Lebanon, and beyond.
With the amount of territorial gains ISIS already has, they are turning heads and
causing many countries to take action. The leader in the fight against the Islamic
State is the United States. With the strongest military in the world, the US has
formed an international coalition with Australia, Denmark, Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Under this collective
security agreement, with time, these countries will take out ISIS once and for all.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is a Jihadist organization that aims to form
an Islamic government over a vast portion of the Middle East. With millions of
dollars in oil revenue, ISIS is one of the wealthiest terrorist groups in history and
because of this they are able to run a full-fledged organization. The CIA estimates
ISIS to have somewhere between 15,000 and 30,000 fighters, many of them being
from other countries. Including an estimated 100 Americans and 500 Europeans. At
the top of the Islamic State is one of the worlds most wanted men, Abu Bakr Al-
Baghdadi. Identified as the leader, Baghdadi relies on a number of advisors for
information and guidance. Members of his council handle various tasks for
Baghdadi, such as dealing with religious differences, order executions, and to ensure
policies conform to ISIS policy. Under them is the cabinet, a group of managers who
oversee departments such as finance, security, media, prisoners, and recruitment.
There are also dozens of deputies spread out across Iraq and Syria, many of who
were officers during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
The million dollars in oil revenue is due to the number of oil fields ISIS
fighters have taken over. ISIS controls many of Syria’s eastern oil fields, including the
largest oil field in the country, Omar, which was seized in July. The fields under ISIS
control produce 25,000 to 45,000 barrels of oil per day, a value of 1.2 million dollars
on the underground market. Despite having so much money, the Islamic State ahs
stolen hundreds of millions of dollars of weapons and equipment from Iraqi and
Syrian installations and have intercepted supplies sent from foreign governments to
