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Black Flags
384 pages, 2016
Adventure novelist Joby Warrick exposes a deadly strain of radical Islam that began in a remote Jordanian jail after an American military action inadvertently released a terrorist mastermind.
Jordan's King Abdullah pardoned a group of political prisoners in 1999, among them Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who would go on to lead an Islamist organization set on controlling the Middle East.
From a base in northern Iraq, al-Zarqawi orchestrated hotel bombings and killings in Jordan. It was only when America invaded Iraq in 2003 that al-Zarqawi was able to gain the power he craved.
In Black Flags, Joby Warrick takes us on a journey to explore the origins of ISIS. He paints a vivid picture of how a single prison camp in Jordan became the birthplace of this notorious terrorist group. It's a fascinating look into the circumstances and individuals that led to its creation.
Warrick digs deep into the life of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the founder of ISIS. He shows us how Zarqawi, a street thug turned jihadist, played a crucial role in the rise of the group. It's a chilling look into the mind of a terrorist leader.
The book also explores the role of the Iraq War in the rise of ISIS. Warrick argues that the war created a power vacuum that allowed groups like ISIS to flourish. It's a sobering reminder of the unintended consequences of military intervention.
Black Flags also takes a look at the power of propaganda in the rise of ISIS. Warrick shows how the group used social media and slickly produced videos to recruit members and spread fear. It's a stark reminder of the role of media in modern warfare.
Finally, the book explores the global threat posed by ISIS. Warrick paints a grim picture of the group's reach, from its strongholds in the Middle East to its attacks in Europe and beyond. It's a wake-up call to the international community about the dangers of ignoring this threat.
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Black Flags is a chilling, captivating journey into the origins of ISIS. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true nature of the threat posed by this terrorist group.
Michiko Kakutani - Literary CriticJoby Warrick's Black Flags paints a terrifying picture of the rise of ISIS. It's a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by radical extremism.
William McCants - Middle East ScholarBlack Flags is a masterful, gripping account of the rise of ISIS. It's a stark warning of the threat that this group poses to the world.
Peter Bergen - Security AnalystJoby Warrick's Black Flags is a chilling, deeply reported account of the rise of ISIS. It's a stark reminder of the threat that this group poses to the world.
Lawrence Wright - Author, ScreenwriterBlack Flags is a terrifying, well-researched account of the rise of ISIS. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true nature of the threat posed by this terrorist group.
Ali Soufan - Former FBI Agent