Is it All Over For The Islamic State?

Isis fighters parade through Raqqa after its capture in June 2014. Photograph: Reuters

Martin Chulov, The Guardian: Losing ground, fighters and morale – is it all over for Isis?

The self-styled caliphate has been in rapid decline since Turkey joined the war in northern Syria. But if the jihadis refocus their efforts on acts of terrorism in the west, victory may be short lived

It has been a bad few months for Islamic State (Isis). For the first time since the terror group laid claim to much of Iraq and Syria, it no longer has a direct path to Europe. Black flags are no longer flying over towns and villages near the Turkish border and the militants of the so-called caliphate are on the run. If the decay continues, Isis will soon lose much of its remaining foothold in Syria. Its last bastion will be Raqqa and the north-eastern deserts, where it all began for the group’s latest incarnation in April 2013, and from where much of its subsequent rampage was plotted.

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WNU Editor: CIA Director Brennan believes that ISIS will remain a challenge .... Islamic State to remain a challenge despite battlefield defeats: CIA chief (Reuters). More here .... U.S. officials: ISIS losses on battlefield won't end threat (AP).

Update: Here is a good analysis .... After ISIS: A New ISIS (Jacob Olidort, Cipher Brief).