The crisis in Iraq is tectonically important. Fighting between the Iraqi government and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (now abbreviated, IS) is tearing Iraq apart. The conflict has the potential to transform the politics of the broader Middle East.

The new Islamic State now controls resources and territory unmatched in history of extremist organizations. It’s a pattern of territorial expansion that has become familiar. After the Islamic State captured.Sinjar, came.the executions. Then arrived the orders to convert or die, the flash of the movement’s.black flag, the fleeing of thousands and, finally, the jubilant.and chilling images on.social media.
It’s just the latest step in the Islamic State’s regional expansion. What was recently a ragtag cadre of former al-Qaeda operatives has now morphed into a transnational, fully militarized and very rich operation, which now controls more than one-third of Syria’s territory. It makes al-Qaeda look like a bunch of wannabe jihadists.

IS’s main impact on the region is to become an inspiration for Islamic radicals and to serve notice to Arab regimes that they can be toppled. In light of this rapidly evolving threat, Middle Eastern governments need to reinforce their military but also to open their wallets to strengthen their security. Saudi and other Gulf states will need to upgrade their homeland security infrastructure including new border barriers, intelligence and oil-gas perimeter security at a cost of tens of $ billions.

Map of IS controlled area.
Source: Aaron Zelin