LIFE IN AN ISIS ECONOMY
What is it like for ordinary people living on territory now controlled by the Islamic State? The picture, according to a new expose in The Atlantic, is one of overbearing control and crippling taxes. "ISIS controls every detail of the economy," notes one refugee from Syria cited by the magazine. "Only their people or those who swear allegiance to them have a good life." The story is typical; throughout territory that it controls, ISIS has imposed an austere religiously-driven economic model, shuttering businesses - like hair salons - that its members believe encourage "debauchery" and preventing those who do not swear allegiance to the group from finding jobs.
Looting and confiscation of property is also widespread, and ISIS traders now arbitrarily set prices for goods and commodities - and often do so at such a high rate that they are unaffordable to ordinary citizens. Utility costs have likewise soared, with costs for water, electricity and other services rising exponentially in cities under ISIS rule. "Only the air people breathe is not taxed," one refugee laments. (The Atlantic, September 3, 2015)
A FREE-FOR-ALL IN EGYPT
Political violence is on the rise in Egypt, as various Islamist groups and extremist factions vie for political influence. Recent weeks have seen a rash of militant attacks throughout the country in the form of car bombs, suicidebombings and political assassinations. The culprits, reports say, are "a cluster of independent but increasingly dangerous cells linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State," which are now competing for influence with each other, as well as lashing out against the government of Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. "There are multiple and competing jihadi strains in Egypt that are all moving in the same direction," notes terrorism expert Zach Gold, with Israel's Institute for National Security Studies. "All have similar styles and targets," and can be expected to "compete with each other for supporters, funding and recruits" - a dynamic that "will drive more and larger attacks." (Washington Post, September 3, 2015)
CAIRO'S NEW COUNTERTERRORISM ALLY
The Egyptian government, meanwhile, is increasingly looking east. During his recent state visit to Moscow, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi discussed broadening counterterrorism cooperation between Egypt and Russia as part of the burgeoning strategic ties between the two countries. The two leaders explored the possibility of creating "a counter-terrorism front to include key international players of the region including Syria," the Egyptian president told reporters following his Kremlin meetings. (Associated Press, August 26, 2015)
MEET THE TALIBAN'S NEW LEADER
In August, the Afghan government revealed that the Taliban's long-serving leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, had actually died in 2013. In the wake of the revelation, the Islamist movement is working to introduce its new head to the world. On August 31st, it published an online biography of current Taliban head Mullah Akhtar Mansur. The 5,000-word biographical sketch outlines Mansur's life, from his birth in Kandahar to his role as the shadow governor of that province prior to the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, and highlights his "jihadi acumen" and leadership skills. The unusual publication appears to be an effort to solidify Mansur's leadership position, which has been contested by other senior members of the Taliban. (Radio Free Europe, September 1, 2015)
BOKO HARAM EXPANDS ITS AMBIT
Africa's most dangerous terrorist group is on the march. Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamist movement, which is now formally affiliated with the Islamic State, appears to be attempting to expand its activities beyond the country's mainly-Muslim north, where it is now concentrated, and has even fielded a burgeoning presence in the Nigerian commercial capital of Lagos, situated in the country's south. In the past two months, Nigerian intelligence agencies have apprehended a dozen or more Boko Haram militants in Lagos - something which observers have termed a notable escalation of activity, given that the group has generally eschewed recruitment and mobilization in urban centers to date. (BBC, August 31, 2015)
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