In 2014, the terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) spread across Iraq and Syria, threatening millions of people in the Middle East with brutal governance that included murder, rape, and genocide. Unlike other terror groups, ISIS aimed to establish a caliphate in the Middle East and eliminate those who did not share their beliefs. The genocide against the Yazidi people in Iraq, resulting in thousands of deaths and kidnappings, highlighted the horrific nature of ISIS rule. The group controlled significant territories in eastern Syria and northern Iraq, including Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq.
Thanks to the U.S.-led Defeat-ISIS coalition, the vast territory claimed by ISIS has been liberated, although the ideology of the group persists. Alan Matney, DOD’s coordinator for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, emphasized the ongoing need for the coalition, as the threat continues to adapt and evolve. While the coalition initially focused on reclaiming territories from ISIS, it now focuses on predicting the group’s next moves and potential targets. The coalition has been effective in countering ISIS’s strategy of stretching opposition thin and strategically adapting to meet the evolving threat.
The coalition has shifted its focus from military operations to intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism training for partner nations. In Iraq, the coalition works closely with Iraqi security forces, who have become skilled partners in counterterrorism operations. The success of the coalition has made it difficult for ISIS to operate in Iraq and Syria, leading the group to seek new territories in West Africa, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Southeast Asia. The coalition’s adaptability and collective strength have been crucial in countering ISIS’s changing tactics and locations.
The Defeat-ISIS coalition is a unique multilateral organization that operates without consensus, allowing for nimbleness and quick decision-making. While consensus-based organizations like the United Nations or NATO have their merits, the coalition’s model has proven to be effective in addressing the ISIS threat. The coalition’s approach has served as an example to other multinational efforts, such as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, demonstrating the power of collective action in combating terrorism and preserving global security.
