Michael Griffin

Islamic State have engaged in extreme activities from Syria to the gates of Baghdad. For the third time in 15 years, the US risks being drawn into another war in the Middle East. But it is still unclear what lies behind IS’s success.

Griffin analyses IS’s beginnings in Iraq, their involvement in the Arab Spring as well and what they are doing in the present day. He discusses the myriad of regional players engaged in a seemingly endless power game: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Iraq have all contributed to the success of IS by supplying arms and funds.

Griffin tells the story of the uprising against President Assad and describes his regime’s varied responses; the human cost; the role played by the Free Syrian Army, Islamist groups, Iran, Hezbollah and Russia; the chemical weapons attacks in 2013; and the House of Commons vote not to impose a no-fly zone over the country.

Michael Griffin is a writer, editor, political analyst and specialist on the Taliban and Al Qa’ida. He regularly comments on the war in Afghanistan for BBC World, Sky and Al Jazeera. As Editor he has worked for Transparency International, International Alert, Small Arms Survey and ODI.