American Foreign Policy and the Rise of ISIS

The rise of ISIS took almost all political analysts by surprise. For many, it quite literally appeared as if this group came out of nowhere. While the vast majority of Muslims are appalled at the brutality and viciousness of some of their tactics, the question does arise as to how such a fringe group could draw together thousands of people to support them. In this bold and frank talk, which was addressed primarily to a non-Muslim audience, Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi mentions some of the root causes that explains why this group is popular in some Muslim circles. The complete break down of the Iraqi civil infrastructure and economic stability, after decades of American sanctions and two illegal invasions, cannot be ignored as we try to understand the appeal of such militant groups.