Do you think ISIS has gained or lost territory since it took Mosul last June?

Institute For The Study of War — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:26:20 -0400

See the full collection of ISW's ISIS Sanctuary Maps to make up your mind.

On ISW's site: http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/tracking-isis-islamic-state

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 10 at 2015 3:28 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:28:34 -0400

They are gaining by the minute and must be destroyed

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 5:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 17:28:00 -0400

ISIS has lost ground since it took Mosul. As they gained power and seemed invincible they began to drop and or betray groups that had aided in their advancement. It attacked groups which were not opposing it Peshmerga and Yazidis, beheaded American journalist, usurped the authority of the Nations and groups that were supporting it by declaring a Caliphate, and committed genocidal slaughter.... These were pointless military moves and did nothing to gain support or sympathy for their cause. The most revealing sign of ISIS' decline is that they are no longer conquering territory, seizing major towns (not for a lack of effort). Airstrikes have shrunk their financial and military resources. They lack the industrial base to capably replace lost military equipment to sustain their efforts. ISIS must capture military equipment in order to supply it's troops. Recent attempts to secure military equipment using this method have been mostly unsuccessful.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 10 at 2015 5:38 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 17:38:10 -0400

I think ISIS/ISIL gains power every day....I don't think they are loosing power in the least. They move forward and conquer daily...they recruit daily and they will continue till the day they are completely stopped...which will be never cause once you think you've stomped them out, some group or fraction of them will pick up and start new again....and as long as you have countries like IRAN who support them openly and secretively, they will continue to grow and strengthen and carry on with their callously murderous ways.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 10 at 2015 7:41 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 19:41:40 -0400

Institute For The Study of War Just based on the maps and graphics, ISIS has gained ground. I have no way to judge relative strength of ISIS, but it is clear that the Iraqi government failed to maintain an integrated Armed Force and to defend the Sunni areas. If you are a Sunni, your choices are very limited. Trust the Shiite or become orthodox Sunni and survive.
No easy answers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 9:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 21:28:46 -0400

Institute For The Study of War Who's maps are these? Why are they not appropriately marked with a distance indicator, why is the scale not shown, why are they not dated, or have grid references?