It's easy to find evidence of the Middle East and ISIS in the news. The difficulty comes in discerning the worthwhile and reliable information from the useless and redundant. This section of the website is dedicated to providing links to the best articles on these popular subjects and others. It's designed to save the reader time and effort (not to mention eye strain).
As I scan the internet for the most pertinent information available on the Islamic State, narrative, and other topics relating to the Middle East I will share the articles I find most insightful and relevant. If you only have time for one or two key articles on this topic, this is the place to look. The section will be updated regularly, so check back often.
Below you will find the most recent articles on these topics. To the left you can click on the various links to find lists (with links) to what I consider must read articles for understanding such topics as narrative, ISIS, events unfolding in the Middle East, American strategy, and extremism.
For a comprehensive list of articles and information on these topics download my Comprehensive Bibliography.
As I scan the internet for the most pertinent information available on the Islamic State, narrative, and other topics relating to the Middle East I will share the articles I find most insightful and relevant. If you only have time for one or two key articles on this topic, this is the place to look. The section will be updated regularly, so check back often.
Below you will find the most recent articles on these topics. To the left you can click on the various links to find lists (with links) to what I consider must read articles for understanding such topics as narrative, ISIS, events unfolding in the Middle East, American strategy, and extremism.
For a comprehensive list of articles and information on these topics download my Comprehensive Bibliography.
Most Recent Articles of InterestDefeating the ISIS Nostalgia Narrative
Colin P. Clarke
Haroro J. Ingram Foreign Policy Research Institute 18 April 2018 The authors express the danger of almost defeating ISIS. They warn that this group is not defeated and that their ideology and narrative are still resonant in the region. This is one of the best articles to refute the notion that fighting ISIS or any similar group is about killing bad guys and targeting leaders. What Iran Really WantsPaul R. Pillar
The National Interest 16 April 2018 This is one of the best articles for explaining the difference in perspectives between the US and Iran with respect to interests in the Middle East. A Saudi Prince's Quest to Remake the Middle East
Dexter Filkins
The New Yorker 9 April 2018 Dexter Filkins has written some excellent material on the Middle East. I recommend reading his piece in connection with the article from Jeffrey Goldberg as they present different pictures of the same subject. As is usual, the truth is probably best derived as a combination of both articles. It is certain that both writers provide excellent details. The ISIS FilesRukmini Callimachi
The New York Times 4 April 2018 Rukmini Callimachi is one of the best reporters in the main stream media on ISIS. This article is another example of her great reporting. The details in both documentation and interviews provides great insight into how ISIS governed and how they controlled the population. This is the most insightful ISIS article I have read since Graeme Wood’s March 2015 article, “What ISIS Really Wants.” More Than Militias: Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces Are Here to StayRenad Mansour
War on the Rocks 3 April 2018 The Popular Mobilization Forces represent a serious challenge to the monopoly of violence by the Iraqi state. There are many who will also say that such groups represent an attempt by Iran to create an Iraqi version of Hezbollah. This article provides both the background and the current situation sufficient to help a reader understand what has and is happening regarding what we typically call Shia militias. Saudi Crown Prince: Iran's Supreme Leader 'Makes Hitler Look Good'Jeffrey Goldberg
The Atlantic 2 April 2018 Jeffrey Goldberg has done some of the best interviews of major political leaders in the last several years. This is simply the latest such interview. One can understand much of the Saudi perspective of the Middle East a, the world, and Islam’s relationship with the rest of the world. The article is about 10 pages or so. It is worth reading to appreciate the full discussion. On the Road to Sinjar, Armed Men With Shifting Allegiances Decide Who Can Pass
Alissa J. Rubin
The New York Times Magazine 2 April 2018 This article is a simple road-trip story. That is not what makes it worth reading. The value in the story comes from the implications of the patchwork of groups and lack of consistent control across a relatively small portion of a much larger country. How does a central government regain control of these disparate groups that it needed to remove ISIS. Policy Roundtable: What Is the Future of the Jihadist Movement?Stephen Tankel
R. Kim Cragin Daveed Gartenstein-Ross Joshua Geltzer Texas National Security Review 20 March 2018 The four-part discussion of where jihadism goes in the future is worth reading, if for no other reason than the endnotes alone. The thoughts are also worth considering as some legitimate experts address where the ISIS/al-Qaeda nexus of non-state powers rests currently and what the future trajectory of these organizations seems to be. The single most important point for me was the emphasis on just how messed up the global geopolitical environment is. So long as that remains true, then there will be places for these violent non-state groups to exist and operate. Terror, Online and Off: Recent Trends in Islamic State Propaganda OperationsCharlie Winter
Haroro J. Ingram War on the Rocks 2 March 2018 Great hard data and quality analysis on the decline of ISIS online material. Islamic State’s English‐language magazines, 2014‐2017: Trends & implications for CT‐CVE strategic communicationsHaroro J. Ingram
The Hague: International Centre for Counter-Terrorism March 2018 Excellent review of the major ISIS produced English language written works. Narrative WarfareAjit Maan
Real Clear Defense 27 February 2018 This is a great summary of the importance of narrative in shaping what war really is: influence. In this article, Dr. Maan places narrative at the center of the strategic debate – precisely where it should be. Virtual Caliphate Rebooted: The Islamic State's Revolving Online StrategyCharlie Winter
Jade Parker Lawfare 7 January 2018 The article explains how the online presence of the Islamic State has changed and is changing to accommodate an adjusted emphasis on attacks abroad. Inside the Collapse of Islamic State's Propaganda MachineCharlie Winter
Wired 20 December 2017 The article includes excellent supporting statistics and analysis of the decline in online material. How ISIS Survives the Fall of Mosul |
Links to My Lists of Must Read Articles:Narrative
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Charlie Winter
The Atlantic
3 July 2017
The author asserts that the loss of Mosul was part of the ISIS plan all along – to antagonize the world such that it could dominate the jihadist narrative.
The Atlantic
3 July 2017
The author asserts that the loss of Mosul was part of the ISIS plan all along – to antagonize the world such that it could dominate the jihadist narrative.
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