«Islamic State» Phenomenon: Ideology, Political Purpose and Key to Success

The Middle East Region is at the forefront of contemporary world politics. During the XX th century, it was the region of tension and instability, because of conflicting interests of the Great Powers, which frequently led to their intervention into states’ internal conflicts, which, in turn, created hotbeds of terrorist activity. This article deals with the phenomenon of the most successful modern terrorist organization called «Islamic State» in the context of violence escalating in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria. Analysis of preconditions for creating the «Islamic State», its ideological roots, as well as the focus on its main political purpose provides further identify factors of its fast influence growth in the region.

Islamic State, terrorism, ideology, Baath, fundamentalism, jihadists, Sufism, The 2003 invasion of Iraq, Caliphate, Al-Maliki, oil, external sponsors