The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadist militant organization and terrorist group that emerged as a significant threat in the Middle East. Originating from the group Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad founded by Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi in 1999 in Jordan, it evolved through affiliations with al-Qaeda in Iraq during the Iraqi insurgency post-2003. The organization rebranded multiple times, becoming the Islamic State of Iraq in 2006, expanding into Syria amid the civil war, and proclaiming a global caliphate in 2014 under leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. At its peak, IS controlled substantial territory across Iraq and Syria, establishing administrative structures mimicking a state, including governance, taxation, and propaganda operations. It clashed with the Assad regime in Syria while occasionally benefiting from regional conflicts, and its ideology emphasized strict Salafi-jihadism, rejecting other Muslim sects and aiming to establish a worldwide Islamic caliphate. IS gained notoriety for its brutal tactics, including beheadings, mass executions, and the use of social media for recruitment and propaganda, attracting foreign fighters globally. Designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations and numerous countries, including Muslim-majority states, IS faced a U.S.-led international coalition that dismantled its territorial caliphate between 2017 and 2019, with the final stronghold in Baghuz, Syria, falling in March 2019. Despite territorial losses, the group maintains a decentralized global network through provinces (wilayats) in regions like Afghanistan, West Africa, and Southeast Asia, continuing insurgent activities, attacks, and ideological influence. Its financial operations historically relied on oil smuggling, extortion, and looting, though disrupted by military campaigns. The organization's structure reflects a blend of militant hierarchy and pseudo-state bureaucracy, with the General Directorate of Provinces managing its international affiliates. IS has been widely condemned for atrocities against civilians, including Yazidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims, leading to genocide accusations and international war crimes investigations. Its split from al-Qaeda in 2014 marked a shift toward independent global ambitions, fostering rivalries with other jihadist groups.