A Theory of ISIS

‘The first serious attempt at understanding a global calamity brewed in the counter-revolutionary mobilisation against the graceful rise and spectacular spread of Arab revolutions. A groundbreaking work of political theory’ – Professor Hamid Dabashi, Columbia University, author of Authority in Islam‘Objective and insightful … Essential reading for those interested not only in ISIS but also what may follow’ – Professor Gareth Stansfield, University of Exeter, author of Iraq – People, History, Politics‘A Theory of ISIS is one of the best analyses available to us. An essential book for any serious student of political violence’ – Professor Paul Rogers, Bradford University, author of Irregular War‘Scrupulously scholarly and indispensable reading for any serious student of its vital and absorbing subject’ – Professor Paul H. Gilbert, University of Hull, author of New Terror, New Wars‘A brilliant and ground-breaking analysis of ISIS. Unprecedented level of solid scholarship and deep insights into the complex phenomenon. A must-read for anyone interested in the study of political violence’ – Omar Ashour, Director Middle East Graduate Programme, University of Exeter, author of The De-radicalisation of Jihadists‘How did ISIS come so far, so fast? And where will it go next? I have yet to see such a comprehensive examination of the group’s genesis, development and motives. This book deserves to be read widely’ – Tim Sebastian, award-winning former BBC foreign correspondent and presenter of HARDtalk

Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou (1968 - 2024) was a political historian, diplomat and acclaimed public intellectual. His books include a trilogy of the post-9⁄11 era: Contre-Croisade - Le 11 Septembre et le Retournement du monde, Understanding Al Qaeda and A Theory of ISIS. His writing brought a fresh approach to the studies of extremism, conflict, political violence and peace-building. He was a committed pan-Africanist and pan-Arabist. He worked as Professor of International History at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, and served as Mauritania’s youngest foreign minister in 2008.