The Face of Things To Come

The Islamic State's vision for the future as illustrated by their own press release.

By: The National Bacon

While their reach may not yet meet the reality of their goals, the IS is certainly planning for a future that is striking in it's massive scope.  Many have asked if the IS would be a serious direct threat to the Western world, which of course is highly debatable.  However, in a globalized economic world even a significant regional change can produce significant effects across the globe.  

The regions the IS is looking to conquer not only contain valuable oil and gas resources, but also other materials, agricultural products, and significant cultural sites.  In terms of globally significant cultural areas, the IS has already pillaged their way through many areas of Syria and Iraq and destroyed archaeological sites.

It could also be argued that Europe faces the greatest direct threat from the IS, because of their relatively geographic location to the Middle East and North Africa and the fairly significant the IS is currently enjoying from elements of the populations of Western European nations.

Unfortunately we are faced with two grim scenerios; the IS as a destablizing regional problem or the IS as a rising global empire.  Either propostion deserves serious thought and serious action.