Fact Check: "ISIS is created by United States"
What We Know
The claim that "ISIS is created by United States" is a simplification of a complex situation. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) emerged from a combination of factors, including the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, the civil war in Syria, and the broader regional instability. The U.S. invasion led to significant power vacuums and sectarian strife, which contributed to the rise of extremist groups, including ISIS. However, it is crucial to note that the U.S. did not directly create ISIS; rather, its policies and actions inadvertently facilitated conditions that allowed the group to thrive (Brookings, Washington Post).
The U.S. has actively worked against ISIS since its emergence. In 2014, the U.S. formed a broad international coalition to combat ISIS, emphasizing military and humanitarian efforts to degrade and defeat the group (Global Coalition). The coalition has included numerous countries contributing to military operations, humanitarian assistance, and efforts to counter the flow of foreign fighters to ISIS (Department of Defense).
Analysis
The assertion that the United States created ISIS is often based on the interpretation of U.S. foreign policy decisions, particularly the invasion of Iraq and the subsequent dismantling of the Iraqi military and government structures. Critics argue that these actions led to a power vacuum that extremist groups exploited. For example, the Washington Post discusses how the chaos following the invasion allowed groups like ISIS to gain a foothold.
However, this perspective overlooks the broader context of ISIS's formation. The group evolved from earlier jihadist movements, particularly Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and was influenced by regional dynamics, including the Syrian civil war and sectarian tensions (Brookings). The rise of ISIS can be attributed to a confluence of local grievances, regional instability, and the actions of various state and non-state actors, rather than a direct creation by the U.S.
Moreover, the U.S. has taken significant steps to combat ISIS, including military interventions and forming coalitions to address the threat. The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS outlines various efforts to degrade and defeat the group, emphasizing that the U.S. has been a leader in these initiatives.
In assessing the reliability of sources, it is important to differentiate between opinion pieces and factual reporting. While some articles may suggest a direct link between U.S. actions and the creation of ISIS, they often do not provide a comprehensive analysis of the multitude of factors involved in the group's rise. Scholarly articles and official reports tend to offer a more nuanced understanding of the situation, acknowledging the complexity of the issue (Brookings, Department of Defense).
Conclusion
The claim that "ISIS is created by United States" is False. While U.S. actions in Iraq contributed to the conditions that allowed ISIS to emerge, the group was not directly created by the U.S. Instead, it arose from a complex interplay of regional instability, sectarian violence, and the legacy of previous extremist movements. The U.S. has actively worked to combat ISIS since its rise, forming coalitions and conducting military operations against the group.
Sources
- Operation Inherent Resolve - DoD - Department of Defense
- The Islamic State: Background, Current Status, and U.S. ...
- About Us – The Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS
- The ISIS Model and its Influence Over Global Terrorism
- Al Qaeda vs. ISIS: Goals and Threats Compared
- How the United States helped create the Islamic State
- The rise and fall of the Islamic State group: The long and short ... - BBC
- Here's how ISIS was really founded - CNN