Publication

In order to understand the psychology of the West’s adversaries in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, this briefing describes what the world looks like to those who operate within these groups, including the so-called Islamic State (IS). In particular, the text’s author explores 1) the contemporary and historical perceptions of how the West deals with the Islamic and Arab world, and 2) how these views may have influenced IS’ strategy, particularly its 2015 shift from territorial expansion to attacks on and within Western states.