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Redback Quarterly #10
The Mind of the Islamic State
So often in history, it is ideas that kill…
What are the ideas that drive the Islamic State? How did it develop and systematise its unique form of apocalyptic violence?
In this gripping account, Robert Manne shows how the Islamic State’s worldview evolved, from the 1960s prison writings of Sayyid Qutb all the way to its elegant online magazine of horror, Dabiq. This gripping account reveals the crucial role of texts such as The Management of Savagery, and figures such as al-Zarqawi, who set out to pit Sunni against Shi’a, tearing Iraq apart.
Shortly after the fall of Mosul in June 2014, US General Michael Nagata said of the new jihadist threat: ‘We have not defeated the idea. We do not even understand the idea.’
By examining the beliefs and strategies at the heart of the Islamic State, Manne shows how a dark ideology came into being.
What are the ideas that drive the Islamic State? How did it develop and systematise its unique form of apocalyptic violence?
In this gripping account, Robert Manne shows how the Islamic State’s worldview evolved, from the 1960s prison writings of Sayyid Qutb all the way to its elegant online magazine of horror, Dabiq. This gripping account reveals the crucial role of texts such as The Management of Savagery, and figures such as al-Zarqawi, who set out to pit Sunni against Shi’a, tearing Iraq apart.
Shortly after the fall of Mosul in June 2014, US General Michael Nagata said of the new jihadist threat: ‘We have not defeated the idea. We do not even understand the idea.’
By examining the beliefs and strategies at the heart of the Islamic State, Manne shows how a dark ideology came into being.
192 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2016
7 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Robert Manne
36 books16 followersRobert Manne is emeritus professor of politics at La Trobe University. His recent books include On Borrowed Time, Making Trouble: Essays Against the New Complacency, and The Words that Made Australia (as co-editor). He has written three Quarterly Essays and is a regular contributor to the Monthly and the Guardian.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 26, 2016
This was not an enjoyable read, but it was enlightening. The book chronicles the development of Islamic State, starting with the 1964 writings of Qutb ("Milestones", as referred to in the title). The book explains how the ideology of "Salafi jihadism" changed over time; for example, how suicide and the killing of Muslims changed from forbidden to encouraged.
From what I understand by reading this book, jihad is required to acquire control of former-Muslim lands and create one unified Islamic State. This Islamic State will then conquer the rest of the world and "liberate" the infidels, which encompasses those who are Christian, Jewish, belong to capitalist or communist societies, and basically anyone who isn't a Sunni Muslim who subscribes to this particular branch of apocalyptic ideology. Islam will be victorious the day before Judgement Day, and everyone can then enter heaven/paradise.
Islamic State's main strategy is "vexation and exhaustion". Create "savage chaos" and wear down the enemy until they retreat. It's clear that this is the strategy they've used in Syria, Libya and Iraq. The more savage their actions, the better, as it creates more chaos and fear. They are chasing a utopian dream where the entire world will be Muslim and there will be no human laws, only religious ones directly from the writings of the Prophet. The end of days is approaching so they have to fight hard to achieve this utopia.
Like most cults, people join to feel part of something bigger than them and gain a sense of purpose, but the book doesn't explain how the leaders have taken advantage of and cultivated this mindset. It focuses more on the overarching ideology and history.
My key takeaways from the book:
* IS will indiscriminately use nuclear, chemical and biological weapons if available.
* IS believes their war may take generations, but they will ultimately be victorious.
* IS tells themselves that their violence is altruistic -- it's for the good of everyone, even those killed.
* IS is proud of their level of violence because it shows their commitment to the cause and the strength of their beliefs (although they denounce vanity and pride...).
* They feel they must retaliate brutally against anyone who attacks them. Civilians must "pay the price" for their countries' actions against Islamic State.
I still feel that, like all cults, Islamic State is essentially a rag-tag group of disillusioned, misinformed misfits who want to belong to something, who desperately follow exploitative power-hungry leaders. But I understand their particular ideology better now.
From what I understand by reading this book, jihad is required to acquire control of former-Muslim lands and create one unified Islamic State. This Islamic State will then conquer the rest of the world and "liberate" the infidels, which encompasses those who are Christian, Jewish, belong to capitalist or communist societies, and basically anyone who isn't a Sunni Muslim who subscribes to this particular branch of apocalyptic ideology. Islam will be victorious the day before Judgement Day, and everyone can then enter heaven/paradise.
Islamic State's main strategy is "vexation and exhaustion". Create "savage chaos" and wear down the enemy until they retreat. It's clear that this is the strategy they've used in Syria, Libya and Iraq. The more savage their actions, the better, as it creates more chaos and fear. They are chasing a utopian dream where the entire world will be Muslim and there will be no human laws, only religious ones directly from the writings of the Prophet. The end of days is approaching so they have to fight hard to achieve this utopia.
Like most cults, people join to feel part of something bigger than them and gain a sense of purpose, but the book doesn't explain how the leaders have taken advantage of and cultivated this mindset. It focuses more on the overarching ideology and history.
My key takeaways from the book:
* IS will indiscriminately use nuclear, chemical and biological weapons if available.
* IS believes their war may take generations, but they will ultimately be victorious.
* IS tells themselves that their violence is altruistic -- it's for the good of everyone, even those killed.
* IS is proud of their level of violence because it shows their commitment to the cause and the strength of their beliefs (although they denounce vanity and pride...).
* They feel they must retaliate brutally against anyone who attacks them. Civilians must "pay the price" for their countries' actions against Islamic State.
I still feel that, like all cults, Islamic State is essentially a rag-tag group of disillusioned, misinformed misfits who want to belong to something, who desperately follow exploitative power-hungry leaders. But I understand their particular ideology better now.
March 6, 2017
For those who want to have a clearer understanding of the situation and the various factions in the Middle East, this is a good guide to making differentiations. While it is extremely dark and depressing, it is important to make distinctions between the insurgent groups - the most significant part you can take away from this book is that every group believes in something different and therefore are fighting more so with each other rather than 'the West'. Understanding the historical context is essential to grasping the current issue.
January 30, 2017
This book answers many of my questions about Islamic State. It provides both the historical and ideological context for the emergence of this relentless force in the Middle East. Although the questions are answered there are no real solutions provided.(Are there any?) Here is a group who have thrown out our rule book for "fair play" and are dancing to their own tune. It shows how the West either created or fell into a trap in Afghanistan and Iraq that allowed Islamic State to prosper. I can't see the way out. As Manne's final sentence states "We have finally reached the gates of hell".
This is a peacebuilder's nightmare. There is no room for negotiation. All I can see is that the current strategy of bombing them out of existence will not succeed. We can hope for is that they will continue to split and fight with each other but that is hardly a desirable outcome.
This is an excellent book if you want to understand more. It is a great discussion starter in cafes or on a tram. People seem to want to talk about it. I was so engrossed in conversation on a tram yesterday that I missed my stop.
This is a peacebuilder's nightmare. There is no room for negotiation. All I can see is that the current strategy of bombing them out of existence will not succeed. We can hope for is that they will continue to split and fight with each other but that is hardly a desirable outcome.
This is an excellent book if you want to understand more. It is a great discussion starter in cafes or on a tram. People seem to want to talk about it. I was so engrossed in conversation on a tram yesterday that I missed my stop.
February 13, 2025
An excellent introduction to the thinking and development of the Muslim fundamentalist movement known as the Islamic State.
Traces its origins back to the Muslim thinker, Sayyid Qutb in the 1950s and explains why Qutb, if he were still alive, would be appalled at the corruption of his ideas by the modern Islamic State.
Traces its origins back to the Muslim thinker, Sayyid Qutb in the 1950s and explains why Qutb, if he were still alive, would be appalled at the corruption of his ideas by the modern Islamic State.
August 16, 2018
concise summary of introduction to islamic terrorist phenomenon
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews