The Islamic State - A Terrorist Organization, a Criminal Organization or an Insurgency?

Abstract

This paper explores ISIS activities primarily as an insurgent outfit, but also like a well-oiled organized criminal syndicate-like business, and, as the paper will focus later on, a state-building actor. The objective of this article is to examine more closely and explore the IS militancy under the “terrorist” nomenclature umbrella, and argue that the group has pushed beyond these ambits. The paper will conclude that the group is a hybrid organization with the characteristics of various non-state actors, while also demonstrating signs of a nascent de facto state.