- The US declared victory over the Islamic State (ISIS) in March of 2019, but multiple reports show that the group is still active in those countries, and gaining traction elsewhere.
- A$4 blamed Trump's decision to pull troops out of Syria and cut diplomatic staff in Iraq for the resurgence of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
- ISIS has branches in Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and other countries where the group attempts to weaken civilian confidence in the government and stages attacks on military bases or civilians.
- $4
While the Islamic State's caliphate - the idea of a land ruled by its radical interpretation of Islamic law - ended with US-led coalition campaigns in Iraq and Syria, the group is very much alive and regrouping in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. And its alliances with extremist groups internationally show that the group is adaptable, strategic, and not going anywhere soon.
US power vacuums in Syria and Iraq have allowed ISIS fighters to regroup, and they pose a renewed risk to the region's stability. But it's not just Iraq and Syria - ISIS is active in countries all over the world, and in some places it's growing.