The Secret History of ISIS
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The Secret History of ISIS
Since time immemorial Islamic terror groups have destabilized the world’s peace and order and their countries and region. Terror groups conducting committing murders and unrest through bombings, beheadings, and shootings all in the name of jihad and fighting for their religion. The world has witnessed the activities and the damage that terror groups such as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabab, Boko Haram, and the ISIS have caused in the world and their regions. From the Frontline documentary on the secret history of ISIS, I have learned a lot about how this extremist terror group came into being and the mistake that the American government and security agencies made by underestimating it.
It is clear that ISIS was not formed from entirely new members; it was like a collection of all jihadists and Muslimextremists coming together to fit the holy war, also known as jihad. Jihadistsbelieve that Islam is the only religion that people should follow, and those that do not obey or follow its rules, regulations, and guidelines should be killed. The story of how the leader of ISIS Abu Muse al-Zarqawifounded this terror organization that has caused unrest in that region, this says a lot about his character and beliefs (Kirk et al., 2016). The fact that growing Zarqawi got into trouble with the authorities to the point of getting sentenced in jail says a lot about him and how his delinquent behaviors turned into founding a terror group.
Zarqawi’s ambitions of being a trouble maker propelled him to form this terror group, which has created a crisis. I believe that it was unreasonable for the prison authorities to place him in the same cell block with other extremists and jihadists as nothing positive could have come out of such actions; it was a boost to his organization(Kirk et al., 2016). TheUnited States and the local security forces underestimated ISIS. Even after their fast attack of a car bomb in Iraq, they never considered it red flag signaling activities of a terror group. The U.S. failed to recognize that a dangerous insurgent was being established. They also underestimated the ability and power of Zarqawi, which caused the escalation of the crisis to uncontrollable levels.
Zarqawi was strategic. He took the fact that he was being underestimated by the security forces locally and internationally as a positive thing, which enabled him to launch surprise attacks that no one was prepared to fight back. The lesson from this story is that red flags and signs should not be ignored as if the American government realized the upcoming of the insurgence early enough it could not have escalated(Kirk et al., 2016). The presence of foreigners did not only make Zarqawi angry multiple people as ISIS has a huge following and support. It is clear that extremists are not scared of anything; it is like they have no soul even after Zarqawi’s death, this terror group still carried on the massacre.
The change that these regions that have been affected by the extremist terror group need can only start from within and get the support from external forces. Significant change can only begin by creating awareness warnings that can be easily targeted as recruits to keep away from these groups this way; they will have no following of supporters. Also, people can form militias to fight against terror groups and get help from external sources. That way, the fight will be strengthened as compared to leaving all the work to foreign forces. These terror groups have followers and sympathizers worldwide, and it is high time governments try to fish them out so that they can prevent such terror activities.
Reference
Kirk, M., Wizer, M., & Gilmore, J. (2016). The Secret History of ISIS. Frontline PBS (May 17)[Online]. http://www. PBS. org/wgbh/frontline/film/the-secret-history-of-isis/.