Is This the End of ISIS?
The Islamic State has lost the battle for Mosul. Raqqa will be next to fall. But is the so-called caliphate dead — and who are the winners?
On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory, celebrating the retaking of Mosul from Islamic State fighters by Iraqi troops. Most experts agree Raqqa will be next. But while the battle to reclaim territory from the Islamic State may be closer to an end, it invariably creates more regional questions as unlikely allies and longtime adversaries struggle with the vacuum left behind.
On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory, celebrating the retaking of Mosul from Islamic State fighters by Iraqi troops. Most experts agree Raqqa will be next. But while the battle to reclaim territory from the Islamic State may be closer to an end, it invariably creates more regional questions as unlikely allies and longtime adversaries struggle with the vacuum left behind.
On this week’s second episode of The E.R., FP’s executive editor for the web, Ben Pauker, is joined by Robert Malley and Renad Mansour, two of the FP contributors featured in the online symposium, What Comes After ISIS? FP’s David Kenner joins the panel from Beirut to discuss the potential regional fallout. Have the geopolitical issues that aided the formation of the caliphate been resolved? And what happens to the millions of civilians left behind?
Robert Malley is the vice president for policy at the International Crisis Group. He previously served as special assistant to President Barack Obama and White House coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region from 2015 to 2016. Follow him on Twitter: @Rob_Malley.
Renad Mansour is a fellow at Chatham House, and the author of the recent paper, Iraq After the Fall of ISIS: The Struggle for the State. Follow him on Twitter: @@renadmansour.
David Kenner is FP’s Middle East editor. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidKenner.
Ben Pauker is FP’s executive editor for the web. Follow him on Twitter: @benpauker.
Tune in, now three times a week, to FP’s The E.R.
Subscribe to The E.R. and Global Thinkers podcasts on iTunes.
More from Foreign Policy
No, the World Is Not Multipolar
The idea of emerging power centers is popular but wrong—and could lead to serious policy mistakes.
America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want
Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.
America Can’t Stop China’s Rise
And it should stop trying.
The Morality of Ukraine’s War Is Very Murky
The ethical calculations are less clear than you might think.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.