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Walt - ISIS As Revolutionary State - FA 2015
Walt - ISIS As Revolutionary State - FA 2015
Walt - ISIS As Revolutionary State - FA 2015
ISIS as
Revolutionary
State
42
F O R E I G N A F FA I R S
43
Stephen M. Walt
Third, leaders of revolutionary movements usually see their model as universally applicable. Once victorious, they
promise their followers, the revolution
will liberate millions, create a more
perfect world, or fulfill some divinely
ordained plan. French radicals in the
1790s called for a crusade for universal
liberty, and Marxist-Leninists believed
that world revolution would produce
a classless, stateless commonwealth of
peace. Similarly, Khomeini and his
followers saw the revolution in Iran as
the first step toward the abolition of
the un-Islamic nation-state system
and the establishment of a global
Islamic community.
In the same way, the Islamic States
leaders believe that their fundamentalist
message applies to the entire Muslim
world and beyond. In July 2014, for
example, Baghdadi declared that the
Islamic State would one day unite
the Caucasian, Indian, Chinese, Shami
[Syrian], Iraqi, Yemeni, Egyptian,
Maghribi [North African], American,
French, German, and Australian. The
Islamic State uses social media to spread
its message abroad and is quick to claim
credit for faraway violent acts. This
claim to universal applicability forms a
key part of the groups appeal to foreigners and is one reason other governments view the group with such alarm.
REVOLUTION AND WAR
F O R E I G N A F FA I R S
45
Stephen M. Walt
F O R E I G N A F FA I R S
CO LU M B I A U N I V E R S I T Y P R E SS
Dying to Forget
An American Prospectus
HO-FUNG HUNG
A landmark, data-driven
assessment for decision makers
intent on insuring their interests
against climate change.
120 color figures
IRENE L. GENDZIER
A most valuable reinterpretation
of the roots of U.S. policy towards
Israel and the Palestinians.
Noam Chomsky
Gendzier provides revelations
and fresh insights throughout.
Beyond Individualism
HENRI LAUZIRE
GEORGE RUPP
From Resilience
to Revolution
How Foreign Interventions Destabilize the
Middle East
SEAN L. YOM
This meticulously-researched,
beautifully-written book is
comparative historical analysis at
its best.
Wendy Pearlman, author of
Violence, Nonviolence, and the
Palestinian National Movement
CUPBLOG . ORG
Improving the human condition Enhancing human security Advancing human prosperity
47
Stephen M. Walt
F O R E I G N A F FA I R S
Just because the Islamic States longterm goal is doomed to fail, however,
doesnt mean that eliminating the group
49
Stephen M. Walt
F O R E I G N A F FA I R S
November/December 2015
51