Is ISIS collapsing?

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Jul 26, 2016 at 20:11

Dear Dr Pipes, In your April 19, 2016 blog post you expressed your opinion that ISIS was collapsing. I think the answer to the question whether ISIS is collapsing depends on how you look at the situation. If you view ISIS, Taleban, Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda as different things then ISIS is certainly collapsing and Al-Qaeda and Taleban collapsed long long ago. But the fact is that ISIS and Al-Qaeda are not different from each other. Their goals, methods, and ideologies are nearly the same and from this point of view Al-Qaeda has "expanded" to become ISIS. If you want to make a career in a small company, you can join Al-Qaeda. On the other hand, if you prefer a blue-chip company, you should choose ISIS. Either way you career goals can be fulfilled.

That said, yes, ISIS is not going to survive for too long. An organization as undemocratic and as violent as ISIS is going to self-destruct. A new organization will be born to take its place. The circumstances of 1992, shifted the epicenter of evil from Beirut and --so called-- Palestine to Baghdad. After ISIS collapses, the epicenter might shift back to Beirut or find a new location in Kashmir.

The permanent death of ISIS will come only after the Islamic societies accept pluralism, openness, and democracy as the only acceptable way to live. "Thou shall not kill; not even for the sake of God or any of His prophets" ought to be the new commandment.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".