ISIS-The Genocide of the Middle East @tormtorm453 - Tumblr Blog

Is it really the end?

Blog Reflection and Overview:

Choosing the blog topic of ISIS, I honestly wanted to create a blog where not only the reader could learn, but I could learn from as well. I had already grasped the ideals of terrorism, seeing it firsthand on my deployment to Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corp (CLR2), but never in the type of tactics that ISIS uses to gain their popularity. ISIS, with their sheer power to instill fear into the world allowed me to understand what I want to do for my future career, and opened my mind to the atrocities that take place countries away. The main idea that I took away from this whole blog on the Islamic State, was the mere fact that ISIS must be stopped; they are a global threat, even in the eyes of some other extremist organizations. I hope my readers feel the same, as the information I presented on almost every blog topic described an atrocity committed by ISIS, along with an abundance of statistical data to back up my arguments. This blog was created to inform readers on other situations taking place worldwide and will maybe even sway the reader to try and make a change, whether it is directly against ISIS, or indirectly. Although this blog does not fully explain everything on ISIS, I tried to gather the main points from day to day news, and very seldom tried giving my opinion, although it is almost impossible not to see my biased opinion on this matter. My message to the readers would be to not only read this blog because of personal interest, but to grasp the underlying fact that the men, woman, and children caught in the middle need our help. Many of them are helpless against tyrants such as ISIS, and need allied axis help from the US, and other allied countries. So watch the news and discuss topics such as these with your peers and family, come up with your own ideas to end this issue, and maybe even become a part in the end to situations such as this.

Al-Qaeda no longer the bad guys?

Cartoon Author's Page:

http://www.toonpool.com/artists/rodrigo_1631

Author Rodrigo of Lisboa,Poturgal, created this cartoon based upon the relationship between the new terror group ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda who once was the powerful axis on the war on terror, is now saying that even ISIS is too evil for them. ISIS, who used to be an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, and some say "were" Al-Qaeda, are now being shunned by their old brethren. ISIS spawned from Al-Qaeda, mainly because certain ideals within the terrorist group were being argued, and some extremists wanted to do more harm than Al-Qaeda felt was necessary. In the article "Al-Qaeda disavows any ties with radical Islamist ISIS group in Syria, Iraq" written by Liz Sly, she thoroughly explains how Al-Qaeda has disowned ISIS in ever aspect. Al-Qaeda has even spoke out to the public, in fact: ISIS “is not a branch of the al-Qaeda group . . . does not have an organizational relationship with it and [al-Qaeda] is not the group responsible for their actions,” al-Qaeda’s General Command said in a statement"(Sly). Furthermore this picture fully grasps the idea that ISIS, is now the "top-dog" in the leader on terrorism, whilst Al-Qaeda shadows beneath them. The cartoon also shows ISIS waving it hand at Al-Qaeda, merely telling them to stand back, with their styles on terror far more extreme than Al-Qaeda's.

ISIS, What's That?

Maybe its negligence, arrogance, or just the honest fact that it has never crossed their path, but it seems many Americans do not know who ISIS or the issue is in the Middle East. This is almost a scary fact, showing as to just how secluded and sheltered we are as a society. I have personally asked many citizens of the US the simple question of: who is ISIS? The answer I received is almost indefinitely, “I have no idea” or it is a short simple answer of, “aren’t those the guys who are killing people like terrorists”. This is extremely shocking to me, yet everyone knows the latest trend, or newest hip-hop artist to come into the music scene. It is actions such as this, which gives America the arrogant persona of a country only worried about its own political, social, and economic status. American’s themselves do face issues on a day to day basis that are stressful, time-consuming, dangerous, etc., but it doesn’t hurt to understand that somewhere, someone else is dealing with a situation enormously worse. For example, the young woman in Syria and Iraq, some who are just shy of their teenage years, are being sold as sex slaves by the thousands through ISIS marketing. Men, woman, and children are being beheaded by the masses in the Middle East, along with the forced recruitment ISIS is bestowing upon them.

Situations such as these are nearly forgotten by the American public, many too drawn into their own utopia styled lifestyle of balancing social life with adult responsibilities. I’m not saying that every American is too blame but it seems to be an issue with younger adults, and even some adults, who seem to push it aside even though they know the issue at hand. America as a whole needs to educate themselves on the outside world more than they already do to value what we have in this country. It is extremely easy to slander the President, Congress, our slight economic downfall, and our country itself, but we have it much easier than other countries throughout the world. Do we have to wake up to constant deaths every morning? The possibility of an RPG hitting our homes or residence? The constant oppression that other countries face? The answer to all of these is no. It is obvious that there are deaths, sex slavery, robberies, executions, and many other types of crimes that take place in America, but it is nowhere near other countries such as Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan, etc. Americans need to wake up, and need to simply turn on the news or read the newspaper every once in a while, so they do not take for granted the day to day activities which we carry on with so nonchalantly.

Terror is Forever

Why is it so hard to defeat ISIS?

An idea cannot be destroyed, unless time itself does not exist. The ideals that ISIS follow, are enormously stronger than the militant group itself, because even if they were expelled completely, an idea is nearly never ending. It is passed from generation to generation, kinship to kinship, father to son. Although many people believe an end all to this war is full military involvement, which in theory would destroy the militants itself, it would not end this crisis forever. An idea can only be changed, or revolutionized to suit the creators perspective at that moment in time, and this causes even more problems because and already unjust and evil idea might become worse. Just as we have seen in recent wars, such as the war on terror that began in 2001, terrorism is an idea that has not been destroyed. We may have decimated Al Queda in 2011 in Iraq, but it only took four short years for the group to come back even stronger as the current group ISIS. Terrorism or “evil” will be a never-ending issue in the world; it has no end, and only exists through creation from men and women.

The Middle East's Ongoing War

Peer-Reviewed Entry

Rhetorical Precis:

Michael Crowley and Hania Mourtada’s article, “Iraq’s Eternal War”(2014), asserts that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a Sunni militant group, is beginning to cause quite a stir of destruction and chaos in the Middle East. Crowley and Mourtada back up their claims with current and past statistical information, highly debatable topics, and the use of information directly relatable to the cause of the uprising of this Sunni militant group. Crowley and Mourtada’s main point of this peer-reviewed journal is to help explain that this issue will become much larger as time goes on due to its sheer force and capability from proper funding and the use of striking fear into its enemy. Their points are based upon describing ISIS’s upcoming and biggest factors that are leading to their enormous gains in the Middle East. Given the technical language in this article, and the need for past knowledge on this subject, it seems the authors are writing to a well-educated middle to older aged audience with a focus on international military affairs.

Blog Authors Response:

In the article “Iraq’s Eternal War”, this was almost seemingly a replica of my work I have been doing relating to my research paper on the topic of ISIS. Crowley and Mourtada’s article is more of an informative article with some persuasion incorporated into it. They use plentiful amounts of background information to explain where ISIS came from. Statistical facts are present throughout the whole entry, with some persuasive words, which lead me to believe both authors felt strongly about this topic, as do I. ISIS must be taught more thoroughly in the United States, and the world, furthermore there needs to be more precautions towards this organization. ISIS has done what Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and the Taliban dreamed of, they are creating a near caliphate in the Middle East, governing thousands of acres of land, and thousands of innocent helpless civilians. The world is starting to notice, without unity throughout the world, it will almost be impossible to beat this enemy, this idea.

Understanding Terror and its Origins

Book of Topic:

“Understanding terrorism: A Socio-Economic Perspective” written by Raul Caruso and Andrea Locatelli

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Terrorism-Socio-Economic-Perspective-Contributions/dp/1783508272

“Understanding terrorism: a socio-economic perspective” written by Raul Caruso and Andrea Locatelli is the book that I chose which interested me the most. As I have always been interested in the inner workings of a terrorists mind, and why they do what they do, I have read other books associated with this subject such as “How to Break a Terrorist” by Matthew Alexander. This book helps describe and fully eliminate any issues that the reader may have concerning why terrorists do what they do and giving analytical examples to further explain its theories and findings. This book has many key definitions for terrorism itself, economic determinants of terrorism, and even the distribution and forecast of terror attacks that take place within the world. This book is highly recommended by myself, due to the use of comparing and applying terrorism to economics, politics, and social issues. If you are intetested in understanding the philosophy behind their plans and ideology, and the fact that they are inherently smarter than we see them, I would purchase this book or rent it form the library immediately.

Falsified Video's

One of the ongoing controversies in the war against ISIS deals with the beheading videos that were shared to be publicly viewed by the world. Many people along with researchers, and videographers, believe these videos such as the “James Foley execution video” are not completely accurate and are rather used as “war propaganda”. For example, an international forensic science group, whom often work for British police took the footage from this execution to find out whether it is legitimate or a falsified video. A major flaw that the group noticed was that it found no evidence of blood, even when the executioner sliced through the neck of James Foley six times. The neck did not have an noticeable lacerations or incisions on the neck from the knife either which led them to further believe this video wasn’t true to its meaning. What the forensic group pieced together was that the execution had been staged, and was carried out “off” camera instead of on camera as depicted in the video. James Foley’s super calm and collective attitude also led people to believe it was not taking place during the video itself, mainly because someone who was about to be be-headed should have been a lot more uneasy with the situation at hand. Analysts found that two cameras were used, and a “blip” or merging of two scenes was found which helped further their statement that the execution took place during the split of the two scenes. Furthermore, the last and most prominent point is the fact that no be-heading actually took place on camera, rather the head was depicted as being placed upon Foley’s deceased body in an ending scene of the video.

Link to Further Describe Legitimacy of Video:

http://www.infowars.com/experts-james-foley-beheading-video-likely-fake/

The Egyptian Goddess

“The Book of the Dead”

“She who gives birth to heaven and earth, knows the orphan, knows the widow, seeks justice for the poor, and shelter for the week”

Terminology of ISIS?

ISIS, or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as they are traditionally known, have a greater meaning behind the name. Originating from Egyptian mythology, ISIS was a feminisitic term developed from Greek terminology, and was spelt as Iset or Uset in ancient Egypt. ISIS or Iset typically meant “Female of throne” or “Queen of the throne” and she was associated with having limitless power and attributes. ISIS in Egyptian mythology was the goddess of the sky and nature, and the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. ISIS was typically depicted as wearing a throne shaped headdress, but was also seen frequently wearing vulture headdress with a royal serpent on the brow. In recent historic finds she has been depicted wearing a a vultures head, with two cow horns protruding from the top of the headdress.

Controversial Terrorism

1. ISIS in Our Homeland: Why isn’t Obama, along with our government, making it more distinct to America that “ISIS” may be present in the United States? Since the upcoming of ISIS, there have been more scares that this extremist group may be present in our country. My question to my viewers is why isn’t this becoming more prevalent in political, social, and economical media in America? Recently there has been twitter accounts claiming to be ISIS, and stating that they are present in America. Also, there has been pictures taken in front of the White House, and on the phone screen displayed the ISIS flag. Threats such as these should not be taken lightly, and should be of a greater importance to the public’s security.

2. Hidden Mass Executions: With the recent live television executions of three men, ISIS has indefinitely gained the attention of all of America. But, it seems that it is almost forgotten that thousands of innocent woman, children, men, and prisoners of war are executed every day. In Jerome Hudson’s video article, he shows through the use of media that 1500 Iraqi POW’s were executed. This statistic alone triumphs over the 3 publicly live T.V. executions, yet not many people understand that this is a current and ongoing ordeal for Iraqis and Syrians present in this war. Why aren’t mass executions such as this example brought to America’s attention?

3. Evil America: America is seen as the ultimate evil in ISIS’s eyes, we go against every belief according to their ideals, and they will stop at nothing to destroy us. Their views on America are extremely overblown, mentioning that America is constantly blowing up mosques and holy sites. America has in fact destroyed mosques and holy sites, but our military regulations state that we are allowed to fire upon religious sectors if the enemy is using the area to defend itself and/or use it to combat US and coalition forces. This controversy is almost too hard to fully understand, because extremism is too vague and erratic to fully determine why America is the evil root of the world. Do you think we are the evil root of the world, and if so why?

4. ISIS is who? Another issue that has sparked controversy is that ISIS was recently Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda was nearly destroyed in 2006 by the United States and Sunni militants when we fought in Iraq, but we did not completely terminate them. After Al Qaeda’s defeat, they began to ultimately grow again, but ideologies and mutual interests weren’t matching anymore. Radical extremists, who even Al Qaeda militants did not agree with, began to form their own group which is now called ISIS. Did America create this super extremist organization? If yes, why do you think that?

5. Where is all the Oil? Gas prices have been slowly soaring since the war against terror begun, but it may spike even higher with the current fight against ISIS. ISIS is threatening oil prices and distribution because of its power within the country and also the fighting that is taking place in the Middle East. Not only is Iraq the fifth largest oil depository, it produces about 4% of the world’s oil, and ISIS may be threatening every aspect of that. For example, a pipeline was damaged by fighting in Iraq that can deliver up to 600,000 barrels of oil per day, along with the fact that ISIS controls oil in its country to acquire its main profits for funding. Do you think ISIS can use this oil problem against the US? Would you be affected by it?

The Geneva Conventions, what's that?

Created on August 12, 1949, the Geneva Conventions is the treaty that governs almost every war that has taken place since it was created. It is the backbone to what countries are allowed to do in wartime environments, and what is illegal in war. Some examples of the treaties excerpts are as follows:

1. In the direct interest of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, all medical personnel, units, supplies and vehicles, whether military or civilian, which are exclusively assigned to medical purposes by a party to a conflict, must also be respected and protected (I,19-37 / Il, 22-40 / P.I, 8, 9, 12, 15 / P.ll, 9, 11). They may be identified by the emblem of the red cross, the red crescent or the red crystal on a white background.

2. Women and children must be accorded special respect and must be protected against any form of indecent assault (IV, 24 / P.I, 76,77, 78).

3. Prisoners of war are entitled in all circumstances to humane treatment and respect for their person and their honour (Ill, 13, 14). Women must be treated with all the regard due to their sex (IlI, 14).

Beheading women and children, executing journalists on live T.V., and the rape of all genders is a common practice carried out by not only ISIS, but many other extremist terror organizations. America and all other nations who participate in properly following the Geneva Conventions are at a complete loss mainly because the enemies we fight do not care to follow this treaty to any extent. Not only does ISIS rape and behead all genders, they also carry out public executions on foreign captives without proper trials as stated in the Geneva Conventions. Also, as stated in the Geneva Conventions, medical personnel should not be harmed, and if taken captive, must be allowed to continue their duty on either the allied forces or hostile forces. In the case of the current fighting in Iraq, Syria, and even Afghanistan, medical personnel have been held to the same position as military personnel and are viewed as the enemy. Whilst America and foreign countries who follow the Geneva Convention hold this as a common standard in their wars, it is unfair that some nations do not have to abide by this binding rule.

The Growth of ISIS

Brief Article Description: ISIS is prevailing in the middle easy, with its grasp set on taking over the city of Baghdad, Iraq. This article explains that not only is ISIS geographically growing, but Baghdad is in the midst of being taken over, with ISIS militants reported to be only 1 mile away from center city.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2773268/ISIS-militants-fighting-Iraqi-government-forces-just-six-miles-Baghdad-despite-Western-airstrikes-against-terror-group.html

Ideas are Forever

Link to Op/Ed Article:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/26/opinion/uk-isis-airstrikes/index.html?hpt=op_t1

Lina Khatib’s article, “Airstrikes will not beat ISIS” (September 27, 2014), asserts that the sheer power of dropping bombs onto ISIS, will not be the downfall to this terrorist group. Khatib backs her claim up with opinionated factual arguments and examples of post war examples to further explain her main point. Lina Khatib’s purpose of this article is too teach the reader that an ideologically based terrorist group cannot be defeated in order to help make the reader fully aware that this is going to be a never-ending war such as the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Given the technical language in this article, Khatib is writing to middle and older aged group of readers, with military and political science interests.

Blog Author's Opinion:

This opinionated article interested me as a reader because I thoroughly believe the same idea. In Lina Khatib’s article, she helps to focus on the understanding that ISIS is not only a terrorist group, but an “idea”. ISIS, which used to be Al Qaeda, has been fighting for many years, and has indefinitely planned for attacks from foreign nations. Since the war in Afghanistan has begun, the ability to rid the country of the Taliban and other groups has not succeeded as we once thought it would. We still have military personnel in Afghanistan after more than thirteen years of ongoing conflict, we’ve made leaps and jumps to progress this country, but the Taliban are still present. To destroy an idea would be to destroy to the world, and terrorist groups are based upon ideals and religion. Even with America and other countries persistently carrying out airstrikes on ISIS, they will not be defeated. The only thing that airstrikes are having an effect on, is that it is not allowing ISIS to spread geographically, it is halting them in Syria and Iraq. But ISIS is stronger than we think, with its underlying purpose based on religion, to seek revenge on foreign countries, and the greed for money and power. I honestly see no end to terrorists groups, but we can halt their spread just like America and other countries are trying to do.

First United Arab Emirates Female Pilot to carry out airstrikes on the terror group known as ISIS

ISIS: The Parasite of the Modern Day World

Eating away at the innards and energy of their hosts, parasites are among the most retched living organisms on our planet. With over six million species inhabiting Earth this very moment, they are extremely dangerous, inherently intelligent, and adaptable to a broad variety of environmental changes. In Radio-labs radio blog on “Parasites”, they explain the cold hard facts on what these tiny organisms can do to its host. In many ways parasitic organisms are closely relate-able to the terrorist group ISIS, with similar fundamental ideas of poisoning or destroying their prey. Parasites feed off of the energy of its host, consuming raw materials it sees fit to properly continue to survive. In the same way, ISIS preys off its local and surrounding population through extortion of their money, land, and agricultural resources to better develop their massacre driven terrorist organization. Parasites are also masters at globalizing their reach by using host bodies to take them throughout the world. When parasites have enough energy and can sustain themselves they will leave the host, and most of the time will be in a typically new environment all together. ISIS lies in the shadows throughout the world, with connections in a vast amount of countries.

In AWR Hawkins news article “ISIS Calls for Radicalized Americans to Go to Homes of U.S. Soldiers, Slaughter Them”, he explains the increasingly alarming threat of possible ISIS and allied supporters present in America. On September 16, NBC news reported on a Rochester, New York man, Mafid A. Elfgeeh, who was charged for "trying to recruit people to join...ISIS...and shoot people in the United States." Elfgeeh is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Yemen. The targets Elfgeeh allegedly had in mind were "American military personnel returning from the Middle East." News such as this should put American’s at an alarmed state, yet many still have no idea that threats like this even exist. Although many of the threats like these are “hearsay”, Americans must understand that the possibility of a home attack on American soil is highly plausible. ISIS is a parasite to the modern day world with its teeth latched on any human not abiding to the laws of their beliefs, and therefore must be destroyed just like modern day parasitic organisms.

Who is ISIS? What do they want?

Link to Video:

http://www.vox.com/2014/6/23/5835338/a-brief-history-of-the-crisis-in-iraq#ooid=FtaGNmbjrZIZGBDC6dNMuC9lrS0VjYAJ

Bringing Down ISIS

The worldwide question in today’s world and war on terrorism is “how do we eliminate ISIS”. The best way to eradicate this universal termite is by US and coalition military intervention. Many people argue that “peaceful protesting” or aid sent to these countries will help resolve the issue but this is not the case with ISIS. The Iraqi Army and fighters in Iraq do not have the structure, weaponry, and skills to defeat ISIS without the help of coalition forces. ISIS is a worldwide terror group with immense income to fund their projects on gaining more weapons, propaganda, and even biological weapons. Their income in not based upon foreign aid, it is solely gained through extortion through their own people and country. They collect taxes, sell electricity, and export their countries oil in order to gain proper funds for their plans on terror. Many westerners and even recently, American citizens, have been caught joining and aiding the Islamic group. It is becoming widespread, and they now control and area equivalent to the size of Belgium.

Although the scariest news to be broadcasted yet is the threat that ISIS has the capability and has used biological weapons. In a recent news article on the Kurdistan Tribune, local doctors are carrying out tests on wounded and deceased victims and their results are alarming. Some doctors are reporting instantaneous death among the fighters, which is linked to the use of chlorine bombs that have been used in recent biological wars such as in Syria. America has been stepping up the fight against ISIS since early August with the use of airstrikes carried out by jets and drones owned by the US. Also, the United States has been sending military and medical aid packages out to the middle east to help assist against the fight with ISIS. Around 1,500 troops are already over in Iraq, training the Iraqi Forces on new techniques and strategies to defeat their enemy. With the immediate help of America, Iraq has been able to hold back ISIS temporarily, and not allow them to create a *caliphate in Iraq. Around 12 allied countries have begun aiding in the fight against ISIS as stated in CNN’s article “Who is doing what in the coalition battle against ISIS”. With this enormous amount of military and medical aid from these countries, ISIS has been halted substantially in their quest to massacre the middle east, and soon the world.

*A caliphate is an Islamic state led by a supreme religious and political leader known as a caliph or successor

Link to Video: http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/jun/16/iraq-releases-air-strike-footage-attacks-isis-video

Video Description: Graphic Images, Viewer Discretion is advised; U.S. and coalition airstrikes against ISIS

Standardization:

Thesis: The best way to terminate ISIS is through a global effort to help eradicate this harmful parasitic terror group

P1: ISIS's global reach is increasingly enormous

P2: ISIS has funds rooted in their countries oil market

P3: Iraqi Army, local militias, do not have enough resources to properly defend against ISIS

P4: ISIS has spread into other countries, broadening their avenue of approach for terror attacks

ISIS at America's Doorstep

Link to Article:

http://time.com/3313613/isis-barack-obama-terrorism-threat/

Massimo Calabresi’s article, “Understanding the ISIS Threat to Americans at Home” (September 9, 2014), argues that Americans are at risk of a possible ISIS terror attack on our own soil. Massimo Calabresi backs up this claim by further showing that the longer we let ISIS fester and grow into a stronger militant group, the more they will be willing to and able to carry out an attack on the U.S. Another claim is that more and more Westerners are joining the fight with ISIS, which is allowing them to learn new strategies and branch out further and further, allowing them to possibly strike out against the U.S. Calabresi’s purpose of this article is to allow potential readers to understand that America is not as safe as once thought. We have very few attacks, including 9/11 and the Boston Bombing, which provides Americans with a false sense of security. The threat is real in today’s war against ISIS; they want to prove a point and will do it through any means necessary. Given the recurring background information on the issue with ISIS, Massimo seems to intend on arguing his point to a knowledgeable crowd, and to America as a whole to help explain that our safety is in danger.

Blog Author Response:

Widely overlooked, is the false sense of security Americans are given from the day they are born. We live in a sheltered society, where people are more persistent on checking their social media apps than checking on worldwide epidemics and ongoing mishaps in other countries. As a nation, we have been attacked, but compared to other countries the amount of bombings and atrocities we have had are minute compared to other countries. Massimo Calabresi’s article is one I wish many young and middle aged Americans would read. Massimo’s article has a lot of comforting quotes from officials explaining the threat is low, but is still eminent. A picture recently released on twitter and shown throughout the news depicts an IPhone with the ISIS flag in the center, and behind the phone is the White House. This example of a possible threat could just be a mere hoax and may not have been taken by an ISIS member, but should instill a sense of threat in the eyes of America.

Picture Description: Picture Showing ISIS flag on IPhone, and in background is the White House

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