What’s Driving an Islamic State Insurgency in Iraq and Syria?

Jonathan Lord, a senior fellow and director of the Middle East security program at the Centre for a New American Security, outlined the key factors behind the recent IS resurgence in Iraq and Syria.

“ISIS attacks are highly opportunistic. If ISIS has the capability and the opportunity, they will strike, particularly if there are chances to demonstrate strength against the Iraqi Security forces, as it also supports their narrative that the Iraqi state is weak,” Lord told TNA. “There remain gaps in security due to ongoing political disagreements between federal Iraq and the KRG. Disputes over areas sensitive to Article 140 issues often suffer from incomplete or the inconstant presence of security forces, and this gives ISIS a haven. They have also based themselves in difficult terrain, like the Makhoul Mountains, making operations against them treacherous.”

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