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Apocalyptic Vision

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IS is more of a sect than a terrorist organization, isolating its members and providing them with an end-of-days ideology. Reintegration of IS fighters will be nearly impossible.

An undated photograph of a man described as Abdelhamid Abaaoud that was published in the Islamic State's online magazine Dabiq and posted on a social media website. A Belgian national currently in Syria and believed to be one of Islamic State's most active operators is suspected of being behind Friday's attacks in Paris, acccording to a source close to the French investigation. "He appears to be the brains behind several planned attacks in Europe," the source told Reuters of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, adding he was investigators' best lead as the person likely behind the killing of at least 129 people in Paris on Friday. According to RTL Radio, Abaaoud is a 27-year-old from the Molenbeek suburb of Brussels, home to other members of the militant Islamist cell suspected of having carried out the attacks. REUTERS/Social Media Website via Reuters TVATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. THIS PICTURE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY. - RTS7CLF

REUTERS/Social Media Website via Reuters

After the Paris attacks, the so-called Islamic State (IS) is often discussed only in terms of terrorism – especially in Germany. But IS is more than a terrorist organization, and it is important not to make the mistake of grouping it with organizations like Al Qaeda or the Baader Meinhof Group. …

Read the complete article in the Berlin Policy Journal App – January/February 2016 issue.

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