Images of ISIS members rolling triumphantly through Syrian and Iraqi cities and towns do not necessarily capture the scope of the threat posed by this jihadi group, Middle East experts say. (Reuters)
Analysis: Why ISIS May Not Be As Powerful As We Think -- CBC
Iraqi jihadist group has more enemies than allies, experts say.
Many people who have followed ISIS's advances across Iraq this summer might well come to the conclusion that the Sunni jihadist group is unstoppable.
Its gruesome tactics, as well as images of the black ISIS flag being waved in numerous Iraqi cities and towns, have dominated the media and pressed governments around the world to try to formulate a forceful response.
But a number of Middle East analysts say that despite its incendiary rhetoric and a widespread perception that its ranks are swelling, ISIS has far more enemies than allies and is unlikely to expand its reach.
"They are not invincible," says Kamran Bokhari, vice-president of Middle Eastern and South Asian affairs for the Texas-based geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor.
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....cathedral. They are all big and ripe and nobody goes there to pluck because the Whiteman has lied to the pupils that it was the forbidden fruits," Tanko explained. "Forbidden fruits?" Garba asked. Tanko had heard about the story of the Whiteman telling the pupils that the oranges behind the cathedral were the forbidden fruits and that if anyone went there to pluck any, he would face consequences from God like Adam and Eve. The pupils all believed and kept away from the tree. "Yes, that is what the master says but one day Bawa told me he had seen the Whiteman plucking the oranges one early morning and that it was just a he he told us," Tanko said. "So you boys went to pluck the oranges?" Sule asked. "Not immediately, I had to be sure myself Every morning, we would wake up and sneak to the cathedral and hide there and watch till day light. Five days later, I found out that Bawa was right. Mr Jacobs came along and plucked the fruits. I was shocked. So after he had gone, we went to pluck. They were sweet and very ripe," Tanko said. "Can we go to get some?" Garba asked. Tanko laughed. "If you are caught, six strokes of the cane on your bare buttocks," Tanko said. But I can't believe this," Sule said. "Does it mean the master has been lying to us? And come to think ..... TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW...JOIN US TOMORROW FOR MORE ON THIS FUNNY AND EXCITING STORY }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
