The Islamic State Is Still Expanding

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David Ignatius, Washington Post: The Islamic State is still on the rise

Republican and Democratic presidential candidates should be able to agree on one stark foreign policy reality: The tide hasn’t turned in the war against the Islamic State. In the 18 months that the United States has been working to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the group, it has grown to become a global force that can strike targets in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

The self-declared “caliphate” that in June 2014 was localized in Iraq and Syria now has nearly 50 affiliates or supporting groups in 21 countries. It has declared 33 “official provinces” in 11 of those countries.

Though it has lost about 25 percent of the territory it held at its peak in Iraq and Syria, it has meanwhile established an international presence, on the ground and in cyberspace.

“Follow ISIS and you will see the huge momentum that the group has harnessed across the globe,” says Rita Katz, co-founder of the SITE Intelligence Group, using a common shorthand for the Islamic State. “The government’s first step in fighting ISIS must be to stop dismissively characterizing the jihadists as a mere gang of guys in pickup trucks. It should be called what it is: a threat to global security.”

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WNU Editor: I have always been a critic on the White House's reluctance to acknowledge the importance of Islam for this radical Islamic group .... after-all .... how can you defeat a group when you are unwilling to even define who they are. And while the Islamic State expands and gains more converts and territory around the world, the U.S. administration response is getting even more surreal .... John Kerry keeps calling the Islamic State ‘apostates.’ Maybe he should stop (Adam Taylor, Washington Post). If there was a war/conflict that begged for a different strategy it is this one. Unfortunately .... I do not have any confidence that the current administration will deliver one in the next 11 months, and I certainly do not have any confidence that one will come from the Republican/Democrat nominees who want to replace President Obama at the beginning of next year. My prediction .... the Islamic State will continue to grow, albeit under stress in Syria and Iraq.

Update: Some are saying otherwise .... New U.S. intelligence report says Islamic State weaker (Reuters).