Islamic State in Iraq and Levant - Essay Example

ISIL is dominant in Syria and Iraq, with limited territory in Libya and Nigeria. However, by 2015, it had taken control over 24 regions, which include Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Israel, Morocco, Jordan, Palestine, and Turkey. All these countries have the highest number of Muslims. Almost 70% of the population in the host countries consists of Muslims (Cordesman, 2015). Since ISIL aims at turning the world into an Islamic State, it targets such countries for easy radicalization, religious and political control, and abolishment of democracy.

Since it is dominant in Syria and Iraq, it can control most government operations through its involvement in politics, economical matters; oil issues, and religious issues (Laub & Masters, 2015). This gives an indicator that these two governments in one way or another other support ISIL’s operations. It is known that most governments in the Middle East do not like America’s involvement in its affairs; it appreciates ISIL’s resistance against America and thus quietly funds it. However, while other terrorist organizations solely rely on financial networks from sympathizers, ISIL derives its wealth from oil sales, taxes, and extortion. However, in return, it institutes order, which includes punishing those who go against the Islamic religion and protects the locals from the Assad and Maliki regimes (Tabler, 2014).

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