In this incisive monograph, Azmi Bishara masterfully unpacks the sociopolitical underpinnings of ISIS, melding historical nuance with rigorous analytical depth. His erudite treatment dissects modern extremism as a product of failed states, sectarian politics, and instrumentalized religiosityan indispensable reference for researchers and policymakers alike. -- Omar Ashour Azmi Bisharas book on ISIS is the most comprehensive and complete treatment of the topic to date. He has explored the phenomenon of this modern movement in greater depth and clarity than any other book before it. An impressive achievement. -- Ahmed S. Hashim, Professor of War Studies, Centre for Future Defence and National Security, Deakin University, Canberra, Australia A deeply thoughtful work, one of the few ISIS books that will stand the test of time. I'm delighted to see it finally appear in English translation. * Thomas Hegghammer, University of Oxford, UK * This is a powerful book of a distinguished scholar who has assembled a remarkable collection of a rigorous and multidisciplinary critique of ISIS. It addresses both the phenomenon of ISIS and the broader issues within Islamist political movements, authoritarian regimes, and ideological discourse in the contemporary Middle East. * François Burgat, Emeritus, CNRS, France *
