A look at the formation of ISIS from the perspective of post-modern terrorism

Terrorism has been divided in several directions. One of the most important conceptual divisions of terrorism is its division into three types of traditional, modern and postmodern which, while possessing common characteristics, share their own characteristics. Traditional terrorism is the most elementary type of terrorism that is limited to the borders of a land and region; modern terrorism brings about the element of nation and state; and postmodern terrorism responds to the moral degradation and domination of Western cultural and political hegemony, which of course is heavily reliant on mass media and social networks. In this regard, ISIS is one of the most important terrorist groups in the Middle East, which has also claim to establish Islamic caliphate, and in many respects, it has paved the way for postmodern terrorism. The purpose of this study is to examine the dimensions of ISIS terrorism within the framework of post-modern terrorism. One of the most important findings of this study is that post-modern terrorism of ISIS is an answer to the deterioration of religious and moral degeneration in the world and the Middle East, whose objective manifestations are seen in the activities of this terrorist group. The specific features of this terrorist group, including relying on mass media, massive military capabilities, and the attempt to create an Islamic state, have created global and regional fears that have made significant differences in comparison with traditional and modern terrorism.