Islamic State: The Digital Caliphate

by Abdel Bari Atwan

Based on exclusive interviews with Islamic State insiders, Abdel Bari Atwan reveals the origins and modus operandi of the fastest-growing and richest terrorist group in the world. Outlining its leadership structure and strategies, Atwan describes the group’s ideological differences with al-Qa‘ida and why IS appear to pose a greater threat to the West. He shows how it has masterfully used social media, Hollywood ‘blockbuster’-style videos, and even jihadi computer games to spread its message and to recruit young people - from Tunisia to Bradford.

As Islamic State continues to dominate the world’s media headlines with acts of ruthless violence, Atwan considers its chances of survival and offers indispensable insight into potential government responses to contain the IS threat.

Genres: Politics, Terrorism, Islam, History, Middle East, Nonfiction, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Abdel Bari Atwan is a Palestinian writer and journalist. He was the editor-in-chief at the London-based daily al-Quds al-Arabi for twenty-five years and now edits the Rai al-Youm news website – the Arab world’s first Huffington Post-style outlet. He is a regular contributor to a number of publications, including the Guardian and Scottish Herald, and is a frequent guest on radio and television, including regular stints on the BBC’s Dateline London.

Atwan interviewed Osama bin Laden twice in the late 1990s and has cultivated uniquely well-placed sources from within the various branches of al-Qa‘ida and other jihadi groups, including IS, over the last twenty years. His other books include The Secret History of al-Qa‘ida and After bin Laden: Al-Qa‘ida, The Next Generation, as well as a memoir, A Country of Words: A Palestinian Journey from the Refugee Camp to the Front Page.

Reviews

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book if you really want to understand the genesis of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in any detail. The book covers its history, its present ideology and its future aspirations. Atwan presents a much needed view of the new revolutionary and deadly Islamic militancy from the inside. Atwan is not a Western view apologist and has refused to label ISIS a terrorist organization, and I agree with his approach. I also agree with Atwan that ISIS is here to stay, so this current Western position of refusing to engage with them is pretty baffling. After all these are the same fundamentalists which Anglo-Saxon leaders were arming and engaging since WW1. The major reason for the popularity of ISIS in countries like Saudi Arabia is because of the unpopularity of its ruling family. The Royals of Saudi Arabia have been directing this hatred against them ever since the forcefully quashing the uprising in 1979. This explains the Saudi enthusiasm in supporting the Mujaheddin in Afghanistan, as well as Syria.

ISIS is just like another revolutionary movement and like any other revolution it feeds off injustice and disenfranchisement shared by majority public opinion. Isn't it time to finally give Palestinians a viable country and withdraw all support for despotic regimes like Saudi Arabia and Qatar instead of continuously engaging with them?

[Norbert Hapfenstrudel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the Islamic State, its history, how it came to being and an insight into how it is organized. This book is also a good resource on recent Middle East conflicts that lead to the rise of the most dangerous terrorist organization of our times.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Abdel Bari Atwan's book, "Digital Caliphate," Atwan gives substantial information on the Islamic State. Drawing on connections, Atwan is able to provide readers with a good idea of the terrorist group. While news reports tend to focus on the atrocities committed by the terrorist group, "Digital Caliphate" contains information on ISIS's infrastructure, history, and short biographies of key people.

Atwan does not spend much time discussing how the United States and other Western countries should respond. Although he does provide his own opinion, he largely leaves the reader to make his/her own opinion.

This book is a must read for everyone. As Atwan notes, the Islamic State is not something that will be defeated quickly. In order to combat the group and their propaganda, we should be familiar with their tactics, background, and goals. All of that and much more can be found within "Digital Caliphate."

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from GoodReads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly longer but more detailed history of Islamic State up to early 2015 than Patrick Cockburn’s volume. The is was good as well. He has access to a good range of sources to Cockburn (and was able to draw on some good interviews), though Cockburn has better access to Western establishment figures.

I liked the historical perspective that Atwan brings, covering concisely but illuminatingly the history of caliphates, (briefly) the Sunni-Shia divide, centuries of Western meddling, and the role of Saudi Arabia and Wahhabism. The chapter on Baghdadi’s life was also particularly interesting.

His arguments mostly align with Cockburn’s, with the notable exception of the role of the internet and especially digital propaganda - I wasn’t convinced that this merited equal footing among the reasons for the rise of IS in comparison to sectarianism and the destabilisation of the region, but his highlighting of its role in the disintegration of the Iraqi army in 2014 was actually very compelling.

[Irfan Sadik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is good. But I have two observations.

1. He really wanted to show how powerful ISIS is. That's why he made some mistakes about shifting allegiances like AQAP. Some mid-level commanders and soldiers shifted their allegiances. And that's why his last prediction was wrong as well.

2. He overly emphasized Salafi ideology. He forgot to mention most Salafi jihadist clerics bashed ISIS and they supported Syrian jihad, not ISIS.

Besides that, the book is pretty good for the history of ISIS. Abdel Bari Atwan is a powerful writer and great journalist.

[Jumatil Fajar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luar biasa hebatnya ISIS dalam masalah digital. Para da'i mesti menggunakan dunia digital untuk lebih hebat dalam berda'wah.

[Abdalla Nasef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, important, and authoritative.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abdel Bari Atwan is extremely well versed in the early days of the Islamic State of Iraq (back when they were merely ISI). He also has an ideological axe to grind against the neocons that taints most of his prose. Whereas few may find this annoying, I could not help but notice that he, like a few of his contemporaries, find scoring points against old enemies more important than learning about this group. That said, read this book, as it lends a lot of insight as to how ISIS recruits, grooms and motivates its followers.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever thought to yourself, "I wonder how ISIS came about?" this is the book for you. While the book is not a gripping, autobiographical account of an experience with the group - it gives a wonderful history lesson in Islam and how ISIS has derived their own interpretation of what it means to live in a caliphate.

Despite enjoying the book overall, there was too much history and not enough of a discussion about their use of technology. After all, I did pick up the book intending to learn about their propaganda releases and how they have used technological advances to propel the War on Terror into a psychological war as opposed a purely physical. In retrospect the history lesson is really important in understanding their mindset, however, I felt bored and was eager to get back to the topic that this book was named for.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in-depth and well-argued analyis of the origins of the IS/Daesh group from a writer with strong credentials in analysing Islamic radicalism (he interviewed Osama bin Laden in 1996), and who has a strong personal connection to the wider Middle East region. Abdel Bari Atwan is of Palestinian arab background, and is familiar with the wider region through his editorship of the London-based Arabic language newspaper 'Al Quds al Arabi' for many years. I found the book both well-informed and well-written and gained a strong insight into the motivations and aims of those who comprise the leadership of so-called Islamic State.

[Alex Crowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the best books I have read so far. It explains in detail how Islamophobia affected Muslim teenagers and adolescents living in western Europe after 9/11 and the 7/7 bombings. It gives a person a good understanding how "Daesh/ISIL" uses social media to gain supporters and even "soldiers" though twitter and facebook. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the current events going on in Syria/Iraq at the moment.

[Wiwiek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a really great book that gives rich narratives on how IS came about and their development. Granted, this is the first book on the subject I read. Atwan brilliantly explains the geopolitics of Middle East that makes it easy even for those unfamiliar with the topic to follow, but without sacrificing the depth of his research.

The only criticism I have is just that the chapters have obviously been written as separate article and some repetitions occur in the following chapters.

[Motaz Larnaouti · Rating 5 out of 5]

really its a good book from Abdel Bari Atwan he explained everything from that prophet Mohamed until this days.
evedince and interviews to take more information some of them from the mean inside the Islamic state '' IS'' and some of them from Al Qaida people and others as Expert with Al Qaida he made it more clear from where IS they bring that kind of thinking.
am not going to say more but am going to leave the reast to you .

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening detailed book about Isis and other jihadi groups this book tells us how they came to exist and all the other jihadist groups involved ,it also tells us why what where when the west help shape the Middle East and how the fighters and leaders use the media for propaganda,great book I recommend this book .

[Mills College Library]

297.9 A8871 2015

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not super well edited