Has ISIS peaked? Terror group suffers setbacks in Iraq

CNN ^ | 11/14/2014 | Tim Lister

[SeekAndFind]

Is the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria finally beginning to feel the pressure?  The first signs are emerging that a combination of coalition airstrikes and more assertive Iraqi and Kurdish forces are forcing ISIS to change its behavior and inflicting serious losses of both territory and fighters.

Analysts tell CNN it is too early to say ISIS has "peaked." It controls vast areas of northern and western Iraq, as well as much of northeastern Syria, and exercises draconian authority in areas as far apart as Anbar in western Iraq and Aleppo province in northern Syria. ISIS also continues to pick up endorsements and pledges of allegiance from other jihadist groups, most notably in Libya and Egypt. But there are signs that ISIS is under stress, especially in Iraq, with its lines of communication and resupply disrupted in some areas, key figures targeted in airstrikes and sources of revenue under threat.

Lauren Squires, a researcher with the Institute for the Study of War who has followed the group closely, said, "ISIS is facing the unhappy experience of losing the element of surprise."

"Mosul fell in June because no one thought Mosul would fall. ... ISIS has capitalized on the Iraqi and Western governments not expecting it to be as quick and aggressive as it has been," Squires told CNN.

Now, the group's strengths and weaknesses are perhaps better understood.

[Grampa Dave]

CNN continues to win wars for its hero, Fuhrer Von Obozo.

[Bettyprob]

The whole ISIL thing felt choreographed to begin with; the way they went from never-heard-of to The Greatest Threat Ever™.

[Paladin2]

We should encourage Hussein to go be their Caliph.

[elpadre]

“peaked” - not a chance. They should became significantly larger and more dangerous with this week’s agreement with AQ. Their finance people are minting their own coins and developing a currency. They are just regrouping. Their goal is to take the battle to main street USA.

Our WH may be deranged, but Islam knows exactly what they want.

[phormer phrog phlyer]

This will likely go on for a very long time. These guys are in it for the long haul.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Once the Red Army won the Russian Civil War (Mommy, why is there always a civil war when the socialists take power?). Marxist theory taught that the socialist revolution would spread to all developed countries, but especially it would start in Germany. The commies had invaded and were beaten back in Poland. There choice was to continue to spread the revolution or break with Marx and consolidate power.

Stalin decided, Socialism in One Country, that he had consolidate power.

Well, ISIS decided to spread the revolution to the entire Ummah. Bad strategic choice.