WATCH: ‘IS will remain long-term threat’

WASHINGTON, United States (Kurdistan24) – A US foreign policy expert recently stated that territorially defeating the Islamic State (IS) does not guarantee their long-term disappearance.

Amanda Kadlec, a project associate at the Research and Development (RAND) Corporation, spoke to Kurdistan24 about the continued threat of IS after their defeat.

Kadlec explained the extremist group may still pose a global threat even if they are ousted from their stronghold in Mosul.

“[IS] is being defeated in terms of its hold on geographical territory but from what we see I don’t think that [IS] is going to be defeated in the long-term,” she said.

“It’s definitely something that international actors should keep their eye on for a long time to come,” she added.

Regarding the relationship between IS and al-Qaeda, Kadlec stated there are several differences, but the objectives of both groups is similar.

“There are a lot of distinctions between al-Qaeda and [IS], and other groups, in terms of operational capability and tactical strategy,” she said.

“The groups are different, and the leadership is different but the means by which they [terrorize] is similar,” she continued.

Additionally, Kadlec mentioned the ideology of both groups is not based on the principles of Islam but rather it is extremism exploiting Islam.

“From my perspective, it’s extremism that’s been Islamisized not the other way around,” Kadlec stated.

“I think they’re taking it and monopolizing it and putting it under the guise of an ideology,” the RAND member added.

Moreover, Kadlec said IS might not be stronger in the future, but the insurgent group will use different tactics to achieve their objectives.

“I don’t think they’re going to have the capability of [controlling large swaths of territory] again, but its methods will probably change,” she concluded.

(Kurdistan24 team in Washington, DC conduted the interview)