In a weird sort of way, it is miraculous. Within only a few years from 9/11, they persuaded the US to fund and support them - on the pretext that they would knock over regimes like Libya and Syria.
Scary thing is they kill everyone that does not subscribe, everyone.
Yes, I can remember the fate of one of the Syrian rebel leaders who went to chat with them about something or other. They gave him safe conduct but unfortunately ... then gave in to their essential nature and chopped off his head. Also his brother and bodyguards. These were Sunni Muslim hardliners, very like themselves. But not QUITE the same.
Anyways take away Baghdad is not the prize but Karbala and Najaf are. Two very sacred shi’ite shrine cities.
Very insightful comment, winone, will be able to get that far south? Remember when they swept across Syria, and were right at Damascus? I think it was in 2012. But then, the Syrians rallied against them, and in the Shia world, the notion that their shrine in Damascus was under threat was used to good effect, so the lads came running from all directions, to defend it. In the south of Iraq, these forces would find it hard to operate, amid the general hostility and fear of the population. But it may be the same as Syria - they establish themselves in the north, with bases and everything.
All good thoughts....and yeah it will be interesting to see the progression of not only ISIS but the muslim world in general.