The Islamist phoenix

While western media portrays the Islamic State as little more than a gang of thugs on a winning streak, ISIS is actually proposing, and implementing, a new model of nation building. Waging war to carve out a 21st century version of the original Caliphate (in theory taking the area back to the 6th century) and using a vicious brand of Sharia law by manipulating modern technology to recruit and fundraise, ISIS shows a deep understanding of Middle East politics. ISIS is not just another terror network but a formidable enemy that is very far from the "JV" status President Obama gave it. "Know your enemy" remains the most important adage in the fight against ISIS.