Beltway Confidential

ISIS just lost Raqqa — that’s a theological blow as well as a tactical one

By Tom Rogan

Published October 18, 2017 4:52pm ET

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ISIS just lost Raqqa — that’s a theological blow as well as a tactical one — With ISIS losing territory in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and the Philippines -- and especially after the loss of Raqqa -- its Caliphate is perceived for what it is: an increasingly pathetic patchwork of gangster-run settlements under constant attack. (AP Photo/Asmaa Waguih) | Asmaa Waguih

Defeated in its capital city, Raqqa, the Islamic State has suffered a theological hammer blow.

That’s because in pursuing its theologically vested caliphate, or Islamic empire reportedly foretold by Mohammad, ISIS needs a credible territorial base to advance its interests. Much of its appeal to date has been its existence as an honest-to-goodness territorial state.

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Commentary Egypt Iraq ISIS Islam Libya Middle East Muslims Philippines Saudi Arabia Syria Terrorism Tom Rogan Yemen