Publication

This publication examines the implications of the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State (IS), on 26 October 2019 by US Special Forces in northern Syria. More specifically, it addresses the following: 1) Will the setback of losing its leader induce a phase of operational paralysis in IS? Will the impact only be temporary, without much impact on the affiliates and individuals who kill in the name of the organization? What factors will continue to aid the agencies of terror and radicalization? Finally, what impact could al-Baghdadi’s death have on India’s counter-terrorism (CT) and counter-violent extremism efforts?