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Source: http://jcpa.org/article/islamic-state-retreat/
Why the Islamic State Is in Retreat
(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah - The American-led and the Russian-led coalitions are containing the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq due to several factors. Attrition: Since August 2014, the coalitions have succeeded in eliminating thousands of Islamic fighters and have struck the command and control structures of IS. Manpower: Countries from where IS volunteers have been recruited have adopted new rules that have restricted the flow of volunteers. These countries now closely monitor Salafist organizations. Firepower inferiority: The U.S. and Russians have chosen to crush IS forces from the air, targeting their equipment, logistics, leaders, and military formations. Diminishing financial support: In the last year, U.S. aircraft unleashed a new and effective financial measure: blowing up the coffers of the Islamic State. The writer is a former Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence.