The self-proclaimed caliphate controls an area in Syria and Iraq the size of Jordan. nearly a third of the territories of both countries.
It is exploiting almost every oil and gas field in Syria and has seized Iraq’s largest refinery and its biggest dam, which, if destroyed, could submerge Baghdad.
It now controls a volume of territories and resources unmatched in the history of extremist organizations.
Its army fights with billions of dollars worth of arms and equipment stolen from Russians and Americans.
It is too radical for Al Qaeda.
Source: George Parker in The New Yorker, August 25
Eric Koch’s new book, New Beginnings, was launched on September 20. The book is available from 
One reaps what one sows. Though I understand “one reaps and another sows” is also out there.
It is very frightening. Thanks for these insights.
The full article is even scarier.
Read it here:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/25/the-common-enemy