Do you know your Shia from a Sunni? What's ISIS got to do with the Taliban?

Amongst all this article provides, this following quote is the fundamental difference and what served as the foundation to what now is a mountain of perceived arguments: "Shias, a term that stems from shi’atu Ali, Arabic for “partisans of Ali,” believe that Ali and his descendants are part of a divine order. Sunnis, meaning followers of the sunna, or “way” in Arabic, of Mohammed, are opposed to political succession based on Mohammed’s bloodline."

Now then there is MUCH more behind the strife in the ME than just this religious split. Unfortunately this particular one is what drives many from the region to "get involved" who feel so compelled. ISIS/ISIL like the Taliban and Al Qaeda, etc. use other tactics to keep the divisiveness alive and working in their favor with their followers. That's an entirely different conversation.

If exploring what Islam is truly consistent of is your real interest, as the previous poster mentioned, look into Sufism and Wahhabism to get a more expanded view. In my opinion, the Sufi have got it right and their version of Islam is actually quite beautiful.

Actually, the article is slightly incorrect. It is not the Prophet Mohamed’s Grandson Hussein Ali Bin Abi Talib. It is the assassination of the Prophet’s cousin and the Grandson’s father, Ali Bin Abi Talib. There was dispute on who the next Imam (President, Supreme Leader) ought to be in process of succession. Some people wanted The Prophet’s family while others argued the right credentials suffices to lead the Islamic nation. People who supported attaining the right credentials were in theory distancing the rule of governance to transition in system of monarchy. The Word of Shia means a party or a group. Supporters of Ali Bin Abi Talib are called the party of Ali; hence Shia of Ali. On the other hand, Sunni means tradition. Any Muslim who follows the traditions of the Prophet is classified as Sunni or traditionalist. There has always been a strategic competition between Arabs and Iranians. It is interesting to point out that majority of Arabs are conveniently Sunnis while the majority of Shias are Persians. Approximately 40 percent of Shia population inhabits Iran. This Sunni-Shia conflict is ancient and complex predating Islam and Christianity. It is conflict between Mesopotamia and Persia empires.

there is more to ISIS/ISIL than what meets the eye. There military leadership can be found linking back to the old Sadam regime. Sunni vs Shia is but the icing on the cake. you must dig deeper and look at Sufi vs Wahhabi. Basically to put it into terms many would understand it is like trying to ask baptist vs southern baptist and then adding in deep back woods baptist. what most see and are family with are common terminology which is sunni and shia. Take a moment to research a little deeper and you will find that not Islam followers follow a radical branch of their faith. most follow a very tame version of their faith.
What we as westerners see on the internet and news are the radicals and idiots who claim the world is flat and the stoning of the accused. That is just filtered truths, not all the facts are shown because it is not news worthy.

I do not see the taliban and Isis linked because one is a rural tribal group that wants back its ancient territory that the brittish took from them initially. The other is a group back by Sadam generals focused on creating a new state/country founded in radical Ideology just to create a fear factor so that it is easier to control those they have conquered, while specifically being of Sunni tribal faith heritage initially.