Infographics: United Against Islamic State

 

They are enemies, they are archrivals, and they have conflicting ideologies against each other. The web as you see above looks particularly very intricate, given each country’s animosity towards each other. Nonetheless, one thing has put everything aside for a while: the rise of Islamic State (ISIS), a ‘pseudo, outdated, and rather anarchic Islamic hegemony’ which seeks a 7th-century-style governance amid the times of 21st century (a biting impediment towards Type 1 civilization). These countries all have one thing in common: its establishment is a dangerous precedent, and it should be eliminated. Indeed, it is just a start. Strange bedfellows will soon find themselves working together, uneasily united in an unexpected vantage point of history.

Check the graphics in Wall Street Journal to find out more about each of the links (with different colors) above.

 

A Brief Guide About ISIS

 

 

A simple, easy guide to understand the world’s currently ‘richest’, and also most well-organized, terrorist organization (which now operates a nearly fully-functional proto-state). Read the full guide in Urban Times.

NB: It’s just a community post, but don’t worry, it pretty much offers a comprehensive, brief explanation.

 

Excerpt:

 

ISIS Are Billionaires

Speaking of wily tricks and laying claim to sovereign lands, ISIS are not just a band of ragtag nut jobs going gung-ho crazy in the middle of the desert. They are the richest jihadist organization in the world. Tweet Share

Speaking of wily tricks and laying claim to sovereign lands, ISIS are not just a band of ragtag nut jobs going gung-ho crazy in the middle of the desert. They are the richest jihadist organization in the world. The looting of Mosul and other towns in north Iraq gave them ~$1.5 billion in cash and gold bullion. ISIS also have control of a number of Iraqi and Syrian oil fields.

In fact, as they stand, ISIS command a formidable budget of over $2 billion in total. They can buy arms, train armies, hire accomplices, infiltrate organizations and exercise both intelligence and counter-intelligence operations.

To put things in perspective, Al-qaeda’s budget is reported to have been a measly $70-400 million.

 

More bonuses: to gain even more perspectives about this organization, I recommend you to watch VICE News’ direct dispatch of their reporters in covering up the regions ISIS has already controlled. A 5-part documentary, it offers you rare glimpses about life inside this new ‘country’.