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xi Preface The group or movement known as ISIS has continued to adapt and change since its incep- tion. While its leadership, name, alliances, and practices continue to evolve, its ideology remains rooted in centuries-­old teachings, events, and philosophies. To describe ISIS as a complex organ­ization about which much is still unknown is to make a gross understate- ment. That being the case, this book is meant as a starting place for readers seeking to understand who and what ISIS is, where it came from, what motivates its members, and how they think and operate. It is not meant to be comprehensive—­there is too much to know and ­there are too many unknowns. Every­one thinks that he or she is the good guy. This truism is essential to any discus- sion on ISIS. Members of the group do not see themselves as evil or wrong. In their minds, they are good and right. To begin with, ISIS claims to represent a real and proper interpretation of Islam, a religion that, according to some mea­sures, includes 1.5 billion followers. ISIS ­approximately doesn’t just claim proper repre­sen­ta­tion it sees itself as the leader of the faith and all of its adherents. In this view, if a Muslim does not agree with or support ISIS, then that Muslim is not actually and truly a Muslim. This circular logic empowers ISIS to dismiss opponents as uninformed, illegitimate, or unworthy of ­ legal or divine protection. Over more than five years, I have spoken with audiences around the globe about ISIS. I regularly receive requests from Muslims in ­ those audiences asking that I provide more information on the inaccuracies of the views espoused by ISIS. Though I agree ­there is a lack of “truth” in the ISIS interpretation of Islam, such an approach is of ­ limited value. My personal feelings on the accuracy of the ISIS worldview are irrelevant to this work. To defeat an ­enemy, one must have empa- thy for that ­ enemy. This comes through striv- ing to see ­ things from the ­enemy’s perspective. For this reason, I have avoided the use of phrases like “so-­called” caliphate. ISIS calls what it claims to govern or control a caliph- ate. This book ­ will follow the ISIS-­given terms, not ­because they are accepted as true and correct, but ­because one needs to under- stand the terms as used by ISIS in order to understand ISIS. In the interest of clarity, this is the last time I ­will express my personal disagreement with the ISIS interpretation of Islam. The information that follows is pre- sented with the intent of communicating what one needs to know to begin a journey ­ toward empathy which, I believe, is also the neces- sary path for the journey ­ toward victory. Throughout this book, the term “ISIS” is used to identify the group from its concep- tual inception at or about 1999 to the pre­sent. In real­ity, the group has had multiple names