The ISIS Factor: Destabilizing Peace and Security in the Middle East

Abstract

The emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has changed the face of the political, social and security structures in the Middle East. This paper find out ISIS as a destabilizing force, threatening peace and security of the region, through violent extremism, sectarian polarization, and transnational terrorism. It focuses at how ISIS miss used state fragility, unresolved conflicts and governance deficits to enhance its influence with the aim of undermining national sovereignty and regional stability. This article highlights the group’s impact on displacement, refugee emergences, and humanitarian crises as well as its role in exacerbating proxy wars and external meddling. It also investigates responses from Middle Eastern countries, other regional actors and certain external powers in the effort to contain ISIS; it features some success stories as well as some persistent challenges. The study argues that the emergence of ISIS demonstrates the importance of further counter-militancy security policies, social and political reform, and regional cooperation for a long-term peace in Middle East.