The irruption of the Islamic State as a transnational force in the international system. Transformations in the current global jihadist terrorism

Abstract

The international jihadist movement has shown radical fluctuations regarding its leadership, structure and actions in the second decade of the 21st century due to the emergence of the Islamic State. This phenomenon, born under the wing of al-Qaeda, has shown an alarming brutality and resilience, proclaiming a Caliphate, carrying out multiple terrorist attacks in the world, occupying territories in Syria and Iraq, and functioning at the same time as a state and as a jihadist group. The international community, and especially the United States, have responded to this threat with strategies of brutality analogous to that of this group, deepening the already unstable situation of the Middle East and North Africa region. Birth, development and apparent end of the Islamic State, the characteristics of the terrorist group that modified the global jihadist movement.