islamic fundamentalism

ISIS captured the world's attention in 2014 with horrific video footage of militants beheading victims. The author has reported on the ground from the Middle East for a decade giving her unparalled access to the story no one wants to believe.

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.

Military contractor Carter Andress was the ultimate boots-on-the-ground "civilian" in Iraq. His company employed 10,000 Iraqis to haul supplies everywhere. He and his company played a vital role in rallying Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds to unite behind the Government of Iraq's fight against al-Qaeda. The United States won the war in Iraq, only to see the peace lost by the Obama administration's unwillingness to negotiate a new "Status of Forces Agreement". The consequence of this is that ISIS, the Syria-based terrorist group, could enter Iraq with a terrorist army.

Traces the history of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan; discusses how the leaders of the movement interpret the principles of Islam; and examines the influence of the Taliban in the competition among Western countries and companies to build oil and gas pipelines in Asia.

Outlines the leadership structure, strategies, tactics, and recruitment methods of the Islamic terrorist group known as ISIS. Also addresses the lineage of the group, its ideological differences and rivalry with al-Qa'ida, and how its rapid growth has been facilitated by twentieth-first century technology.

" ... provides a concise overview of Al Qaeda's trajectory ... [and] the inner workings of this complex organization, ... offer[ing] readers answers to the fundamental questions about Al Qaeda and the Islamic State: who they are, where they came from, where they're going, and--perhaps most critically--what [people] can do about it"--Back cover.

"...Explores the development of the largest, most influential Islamist groups in the Middle East over the past century"--Dust jacket.

"... traces how the strain of militant Islam behind ISIS first arose in a remote Jordanian prison and spread with the unwitting aid of two American presidents."--Provided by publisher.