War on terror

The “Islamic State” and U.S. Policy 

The Islamic State (IS, aka the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL/ISIS, or the Arabic acronym Daesh) is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group that controls large areas of Iraq and Syria, has adherents in several other countries, and disrupts regional and international security with violence and terrorism. A series of terrorist attacks attributed to the group outside of Iraq and Syria during 2015 has demonstrated IS supporters’ ability to threaten societies in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, including in countries with sophisticated and capable intelligence and security forces. The group has stated its intent to attack inside the United States, but debate continues over whether the group has the capability to direct and carry out such attacks. Members of Congress and Obama Administration officials have spoken with increasing concern about the group’s ability to threaten U.S. interests and partners abroad, its engagement in terrorist attacks outside of its core areas of operation, and its stated intent to attack the United States at home and overseas. IS claims of responsibility in November 2015 for the apparent bombing of a Russian airliner in Egypt, a suicide bombing attack in Beirut, and a multi-pronged assault in central Paris intensified debate about U.S. strategy, policies, and options. The group’s statements suggest it seeks to provoke reactions from targeted populations and spur widespread confrontations between various Muslim sects and between Muslims and non-Muslims.