The so-called “Islamic State” (IS) that has swept into power in parts of Syria and Iraq presents an imminent danger to the global community, with its capacity as an effective, ideologically motivated and bloodthirsty fighting force, coupled with its expanding territorial reach, on the ground and online. The Islamic State has taken on a quasi-state form that mixes modernity with ancient rites, and aggressively promotes sectarian violence and religious extremism with a decidedly apocalyptic bent.
By June 2015, it had established affiliate terror organizations that have claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Yemen. Likewise, the IS has won the allegiance of terror groups from as far away as Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nigeria. Also worrisome, the IS has been successfully radicalizing and recruiting fighters worldwide through its sophisticated brand of social media tactics and aggressive offline actions.