A map purportedly showing the areas ISIS plans to have under its control within five years has been widely shared online. Along with the Middle East, North Africa and large areas of Asia, it also reveals ISIS' ambition to extend into Europe.

Spain, which was Muslim-ruled until the late 15th Century, would form part of the caliphate, as would the Balkan states and Eastern Europe, up to and including Austria. Do note the changed name of the countries in this map.

In the last week of July, USA Today reported that an ISIS document threatening war in India had been discovered in the lawless tribal regions of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. Expectedly, this became big news in India. However, for the long-time observers of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or the Islamic State, this came as no surprise.

The Islamic State had made its threats and intentions clear in June 2014, when social media accounts affiliated to it released maps detailing the group’s wish to expand the caliphate to Khorasan, a historic name for a region covering Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of India, and other surrounding countries.

While the group’s threat is significant, it requires some contextualisation.



More than the sporadic waving of ISIS-inspired flags here in India, it is the Islamic State’s vast presence on the internet that poses a threat to Indian security.

ISIS Releases 5-Year Plan

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