‘Caliph’ is dead, jihad lives

An editorial from family run local Indian newspaper the Deccan Herald which I think is very sound. 

….ISIS’ decline began around 2015 when, under pressure from US, Iraqi, Syrian and Russian forces, it started losing territory. In March this year, ISIS lost the last sliver of territory it once controlled. The so-called ‘Caliphate’ had crumbled. And yet, ISIS remained a potent force, able to inspire jihadists in Europe and Asia to carry out attacks in its name.

Baghdadi’s death is a setback for ISIS. A battle for succession could lead to its splintering. However, its ideology remains alive. Thus whether as ISIS or under a new name, radical Islamists will continue waging jihad. They can be expected to carry out major attacks in the coming weeks and months to prove their potency, keep up the morale of fighters and to impress their funders. It was Baghdadi who called on Islamists in Europe and elsewhere to drive cars into crowds to kill people. Such attacks could increase now. The world must be on guard.