The Prospects of Jihadism Amidst a Withering Caliphate

The split between al-Qa‘ida (AQ) and the Islamic State may partly be attributed to a clash between two worldviews, one developed by AQ's elites, the other by thugs within jihadism, seeking to oust AQ. The differences testify to the importance of elites in engendering terrorism, but also to the fragile ideological nature of jihadism that prevents unity among those who profess the cause of jihad. Nevertheless, while dissent within jihadism may lead to its self-destruction in the long term, the fractures are likely to generate more violence in the short-term.