A theory of ISIS

Chapter one. Al Qaeda's matrix. Unleashing transnational violence -- Revenge of the 'agitated Muslims' -- The McDonaldization of terrorism..

Chapter two. Apocalypse Iraq. Colonialism redesigned -- Monstering in American Iraq -- 'I will see you in New York'..

Chapter three. From Qaedat al Jihad to Al Dawla al Islamiya. Mesopotamian recentering -- Into Levantine battle -- State-building from franchise to region..

Chapter four. Modernity and the globalized insurgent. Remixing violence -- Imperial reconnections -- The 1970s redux..

Conclusion. Colonialism boomerang. Return to sender -- Future pasts of IS -- Pensamiento nuevo on terrorism..

Introduction. The Islamic State and political violence in the early twenty-first century. Misunderstanding IS -- Genealogies of new violence -- Theorizing IS..

Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-243)..

Includes index..

Presenting a new theory of ISIS, Mohamedou traces its genealogy and documents its evolution in Iraq and Syria. He argues that ISIS has transcended Osama Bin Laden's original project of Al Qaeda, mutating into an unprecedented hybrid form that distills postcolonial violence, postmodernity and the emerging post-globalization international order. Mohamedou analyzes ISIS from a social sciences perspective and unpacks its dynamics by looking beyond superficial questions such as its terrorist nature and religious rhetoric. He transforms our understanding of ISIS and its impact on the very nature of contemporary political violence. --Adapted from publisher description..