Confronting ISIS

In June 2014, the Islamic State in Syria shocked the world by routing the Iraqi army, taking control of the northern Iraq city of Mosul, establishing strict Islamic law, and declaring an Islamic caliphate in large parts of Iraq and Syria. Using a sophisticated system of social media messaging, they broadcast videos of beheadings, destruction of historic sites, and other atrocities. Martin Smith hosts this PBS-aired Frontline documentary, presenting an in-depth look at the struggle of the West and moderate Middle Eastern countries in the fight against ISIS, a battle that is as much about ideology as military victories. Initially, residents of Mosul welcomed ISIS since they distrusted Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite Muslim who clearly favored the Shiite branch of Islam over Mosul's Sunni population. When the Iraqi army hastily quit the battlefield, they left millions of dollars in American military equipment that fell into the hands of ISIS, a group that skillfully exploits the Internet to encourage disaffected Muslims to come to Syria to fight the brutal regime of Syrian Shiite President Bashar al-Assad. Some in the Obama administration urged the West to "contain" ISIS, but Obama eventually decided on a strategy to "degrade and destroy," which proved easier said than done. The situation is endlessly complex, with Saudi Arabia more concerned with confronting Iran (an ISIS ally) than the terrorist group itself. While Russia and Iran pile on in support of Assad, Turkey is fighting the best anti-ISIS forces, the Kurds, who they oppose because of their desire for independence in Turkey. And enveloping everything is the problem of sectarianism, which dates back at least a thousand years. Featuring testimony from government and military leaders, this documentary—produced before the 2016 presidential election—offers no easy answers and no hopes of an early end in sight, noting that the situation has arisen from a "once in a century" perfect storm of regional and religious rivalries. An informative and timely review, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)