Enemy of Enemies: The Rise of ISIL
An Al Jazeera production, Enemy of Enemies: The Rise of ISIL attempts to chronicle the rapid increase of the bloodthirsty terrorist organization, and speculates on the possible long-term consequences.
A panel of internationally recognized experts from three different continents are involved – including the former Iraq Minister of Defense Ali Allawi and National Security Advisor Mowaffak al-Rubaie – they provide the majority of the film’s critical commentary. Their consensus is that the United States’ invasion of Iraq and the subsequent removal of Saddam Hussein led to the establishment of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Now without a leader or any established government, Iraq’s lack of a coherent identity made them susceptible to a new and threatening insurgency.
The region’s instability reached a critical point with the emergence of militant Islamic figure Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was previously considered a merely symbolic presence. Al-Zarqawi dedicated himself to the philosophies of Osama Bin Laden and was instrumental in inciting the United States to violence by performing beheadings in video that were broadcast to the public, he also managed to spark a level of conflict in the region through his frequent bombing of holy sites. During Zarqawis’ most ferocious reign, the region had 5,000 deaths per month. After his death in a United States air strike, the snake of terrorism had a new appendage and rebranded itself as ISIL.
During this unfortunate sequence of events, the perception of the U.S. and their involvement in the region as a whole began to alter on all sides. Did they truly believe they were liberators, as their leaders claimed, or were they merely facilitators of a new realm of chaos? The movie’s panel of experts is comprised of diverse voices regarding these issues. Their arguments are prevalent throughout the movie, their practical and ideological differences are intriguing and educational.
Enemy of Enemies: The Rise of ISIL provides insightful information about the origins of one of the greatest conflicts of our time. Only through understanding of where we have been can we determine our future course of action.
