'Jihadistan': Can Isis Militants Rule Seized Territory? -- Frank Gardner, BBC
Can Isis - the small but fanatical jihadist army now controlling large tracts of Syria and Iraq - rule the lands it has conquered?
Since the beginning of June, Isis - which has recently rebranded itself as "Islamic State" - has burst out of its stronghold in eastern Syria to seize Mosul, Iraq's second city, then advance down the length of the Euphrates Valley to threaten the edge of Baghdad itself.
Wherever it has taken over, its black-clad and balaclava'd fighters have imposed a draconian version of Sharia, or Islamic law, prompting thousands to flee as refugees.
Analysts point out that seizing territory is one thing, governing it is quite another.
But given the internal problems and weaknesses besetting both the Syrian and Iraqi states, there is no sign that Isis is about to be dislodged soon. So, are they actually in a position to rule?
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My Comment: History is full of examples where small extremist groups come to power and are able through luck and ruthlessness consolidate their authority and form a somewhat functional government. The Taliban in Afghanistan. The Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The hard core Communists and Marxists in the Russian revolution. ISIS is just one of many.
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