Globalization and (dis)order

Who are the Syrian Rebels

The Free Syrian Army: moderate political path, numbers unknown

Islamic Front: est. 45,000 fighters, wants an Islamic State

Syrian Islamic Liberation Front: an alliance of smaller rebel groups

Jubhat al-Nusra: Wants an Islamic State in Syria, formerly tied with Al-Qaeda

Gained by ISIS

Areas lost by ISIS in 2015

Controlled by ISIS in 2015

Baghdad

Mosul

ISIS Areas 2015

ISIS captured a third of Syria's territory 

Homs

Aleppo

Erbil

(NYtimes 2015)

ISIS December 2016

Why is ISIS so successful?

Yes, the security vacuum after the 2003 invasion gave ISIS space to form but also...

• growing sectarianism
• Government corruption and negligence throughout Middle East
• A focus on 'enemies' near by. The West is a secondary concern
  • clear motivation of establishing a state
• Impressive recruitment strategy
• A low-income rural and agrarian base in Syria and Iraq

Iraqi politics since 2006

• Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki (2006-2014)

  • growing identity politics

  • did not support sunni tribal councils

  • government inefficiency and corruption

  • repression of protests

  • Growth of Shia' Militias

  • Popular Mobilization forces (PMF)
    • Part of Iraq's security system against ISIS
    • Funded in part by Iran
    • Accused of atrocities on Sunni Iraqis

Profile of an ISIS fighter

The Atlantic, 2016

Profile of an ISIS fighter

Wakaz Hassan (22 years)

• School dropout
• unskilled laborer
• recruited into ISIS June 10,2014
• Reasons for joining:
  • His brother told him to
  • ISIS paid $400

Fractured Lands, NYtimes: Kirkuk, Iraq

Humanitarian Crisis

53% of UNHCR's refugee population comes from somalia (1.1m), Afghanistan (2.7m), and Syria (4.9m)

In Iraq there are 3,062,808 Internally displaced people. 

27, 616 Iraqis registered as refugees in Turkey

99, 140 Iraqis registered as Asylum seekers in Turkey