WATCH: Bruce Riedel Tells the Story of the Islamic State’s Origin

Senior Fellow Bruce Riedel, director of the Intelligence Project at Brookings and also a 30-year veteran of the CIA, explains the origins of the Islamic State and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. “His ambitions are huge, and his trade craft has so far made him an elusive figure,” Riedel says about Baghdadi. Watch:

Get more Brookings expert research and commentary on our ISIS Threat in Iraq and Beyond page.

The Brookings Institution is committed to quality, independence, and impact.
We are supported by a diverse array of funders. In line with our values and policies, each Brookings publication represents the sole views of its author(s).

WATCH: Bruce Riedel Tells the Story of the Islamic State’s Origin

Subscribe to This Week in Foreign Policy

WATCH: Bruce Riedel Tells the Story of the Islamic State’s Origin

Fred Dews and Fred Dews Managing Editor, New Digital Products - Office of Communications Bruce Riedel Bruce Riedel Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for Middle East Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology

Fred Dews and Bruce Riedel