caliphate

Iraqi boy

Life under ISIS rule is worse than we ever imagined, and some fighters and citizens have had enough

Conflict

ISIS’ self-proclaimed Islamic State is crumbling. With momentum lost and victories in short supply, the terrorist organization has struggled with the most basic responsibilities — like keeping the lights on.

A man in Tokyo electronics store watches a news program about an ISIS video purporting to show two Japanese captives on January 20, 2015.

Despite US efforts, ISIS will remain a threat for a long while to come

Conflict
The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launches a Tomahawk cruise missile against ISIS targets in Syria on September 23, 2014.

The many reasons why ISIS will be hard to dislodge in Syria

Conflict
Islamic State

ISIS? ISIL? The Islamic State? We really still can’t decide?

Conflict
A map showing the early Islamic Caliphate.

Who wants a caliphate, anyway?

Global Politics
ISIS member

ISIS leader tells Muslims to move to Iraq and Syria to help build an Islamic state

Global Politics

Abu bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the militant group ISIS — Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ‚— has called on Muslims to immigrate to Iraq and Syria to help build an Islamic state. ISIS hopes to create an Islamic state in the Middle East.Abu bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the militant group ISIS — Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ‚— has called on Muslims to immigrate to Iraq and Syria to help build an Islamic state. ISIS hopes to create an Islamic state in the Middle East.

A fighter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - ISIS -  on a street in the city of Mosul.

Just what is a ‘caliphate’ — and why are some Muslims keen to reestablish one?

Lifestyle & Belief

The extremist group ISIS wants to create a new caliphate in the Middle East. Tarek Masoud of Harvard’s Kennedy School explains why the concept is so important to so many Muslims.

A fighter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - ISIS -  on a street in the city of Mosul.

Just what is a ‘caliphate’ — and why are some Muslims keen to reestablish one?

Lifestyle & Belief

The extremist group ISIS wants to create a new caliphate in the Middle East. Tarek Masoud of Harvard’s Kennedy School explains why the concept is so important to so many Muslims.