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.
Sentinel Articles
View AllPerspectives
View AllNovember 14, 2015
The French Foreign Fighter Threat in Context
October 16, 2015
Al-Adnani’s Paradox: Projecting Strength While Feeling Fear
April 30, 2015
“Let your blood be [the caliphate’s] fuel”
January 13, 2015
The Impact of Crude’s Collapse on the Islamic State
Primary Sources
View AllMedia Coverage
View AllAugust 8, 2017
CTC Sentinel featured in Times article
June 29, 2017
New York Times publishes article on CTC’s latest report
Other Commentary
View AllMarch 15, 2017
CTC publishes first in new “Beyond the Caliphate” series
December 8, 2016
Latest CTC report examines foreign fighter flow to the Islamic State and its predecessor
November 11, 2016
CTC publishes report on the lifecycle of foreign fighters
Briefings, Events, & Visits
View AllFebruary 16, 2016
Former Islamic State hostage and journalist Nicolas Henin visits CTC
December 2, 2015
Daniel Milton speaks at NDU symposium “Daesh Beyond the Levant”
November 30, 2015
