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START has released a free, short online training series on the “Core Capabilities and Potential Durability of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)” presented by William Braniff, START executive director. These online training lectures explore research-based findings on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (referred to as ISIL in this training). These findings are the result of a research network facilitated by the Strategic Multilayer Assessment office within the Department of Defense and this training has been produced with funding from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate's Office of University Programs.
The lessons are organized into 4 sections, each featuring a short video and several pieces of suggested readings. The videos and readings explore two key questions:
- What makes ISIL so magnetic, inspirational, and deeply resonant with a small, but significant, portion of the Muslim population?
- Is ISIL a durable organization, and what are the characteristics of ISIL that can help us anticipate its durability?
The training is free and available to the public on START’s website at http://www.start.umd.edu/core-capabilities-and-potential-durability-islamic-state-iraq-and-levant-isil.