Islamic State & Predecessor Groups

This is the gateway to resources, research, and analysis the Combating Terrorism Center has produced over the last decade about the Islamic State, also referred to as the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) and Da`ish, and its predecessor groups (al-Tawhid wa-al-Jihad, al-Qa`ida in Mesopotamia (AQI), Majlis Shura al-Mujahidin, Hilf al-Muttayibin and the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI)).

Additional CTC research and analysis about factors shaping the conflict in Iraq and Syria is also included. These resources contextualize the development of the Islamic State. Resources are organized into five categories: major reports, CTC Sentinel articles, CTC Perspectives, CTC commentary about the early development of AQI, and declassified primary sources produced by AQI, ISI, and other militant groups in Iraq.

June 5, 2019

Islamic State & Predecessor Groups

Major Reports

From Battlefront to Cyberspace: Demystifying the Islamic State’s Propaganda Machine

Allied and Lethal: Islamic State Khorasan’s Network and Organizational Capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Pulling Back the Curtain: An Inside Look at the Islamic State’s Media Organization

Down, but Not Out: An Updated Examination of the Islamic State’s Visual Propaganda

Sentinel Articles

Eighteen Years On: The War on Terror Comes of Age

Returnee Foreign Fighters from Syria and Iraq: The Kosovan Experience

Western Balkans Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Jihadis: Trends and Implications

When Terrorists Stay Home: The Evolving Threat to Europe from Frustrated Travelers

Perspectives

Burying the Lede: The Islamic State Downsizes?

An Idea or a Threat? Islamic State Jammu & Kashmir

The Islamic State’s Internal Rifts and Social Media Ban

The Islamic State’s Drone Documents: Management, Acquisitions, and DIY Tradecraft

Primary Sources

Dissent in the Islamic State: Abu al-Faruq al-Masri’s ‘Message on the Manhaj’

Al-Furqan expenses

Work Consolidation Directive Number 249, Islamic State of Iraq Ministry of Information

The Islamic State of Iraq, AUG 11, 2007, Ministry of Information

Media Coverage

New report by CTC examines propaganda output by Islamic State

New CTC Perspectives examines changes to Islamic State’s structure

CTC Director of Research published in Conflict Management journal

CTC Director and Senior Fellow quoted in Cipher Brief article

Other Commentary

CTC releases third ‘Beyond the Caliphate’ report

American national security policy needs to get ready for ISIS 2.0

CTC publishes analysis on Islamic State ban on social media

CTC releases second Beyond the Caliphate report

Briefings, Events, & Visits

LTG Michael Nagata visits CTC

GEN Nicholson visits CTC

CTC briefs the Command and General Staff College

USSOCOM Commander GEN Thomas visits CTC

Stay Informed