David Cook
Probably the most interesting aspect of the sudden rise of the Islamic State (in Iraq and Syria) is the apocalyptic nature of the group. While hitherto most Salafi-jihadi groups like al-Qaeda and its ideological affiliates have avoided excessive embrace of the apocalypse, IS has completely identified itself with the end of the world. This attitude has its roots in the (many) previous incarnations of IS, going back to the period of Abu Musa`b al-Zarqawi (2003-6), during which the language utilized by its public statements and videos was that of an apocalyptic battle against the twin enemies of the Coalition (U.S. and allies) forces and the Shi`ites. Because the comparatively smaller Sunni minority could never hope to overcome the Shi`ites through numbers, there was need, so Zarqawi reasoned, to widen the battle to include all Sunnis—especially those in the neighboring countries. Continue reading
