ISIS in Iraq: The Social and Psychological Foundations of Terror

The book explores the social and psychological factors behind how ISIS was able to rise in Iraq, control most of it, and why most of that population eventually turned on it. It is based on a unique array of public opinion data from surveys, focus groups, and interviews with ISIS members.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) achieved a remarkable feat by seizing control over vast areas of Iraq in the summer of 2014. This rapid expansion caught the attention of many, who questioned how ISIS managed to establish such a strong presence in the predominantly Sunni-dominated region. However, what was even more surprising was the subsequent decline of ISIS, with their grip on the region weakening by 2017. This book delves into the social and psychological factors that contributed to ISIS's rise in Iraq, its subsequent control over a significant portion of the country, and the eventual turn against it by the majority of the population. Compiled by esteemed experts in terrorism, the analysis is based on a unique collection of public opinion data from surveys, focus groups, and interviews. The authors explore why some Iraqis aligned themselves with ISIS, while others opposed them, why ISIS lost the support of Iraqi Sunni Arabs, and how this ultimately led to their military defeats. The in-depth face-to-face interviews with ISIS members provide a valuable source of data, complementing empirical findings and shedding light on individual and societal-level factors that contribute to radicalization. By examining these factors, the book offers insights into countering radicalization and supporting deradicalization efforts.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 242 x 159 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197524756