The Future of Jihadism in a Multipolar World

Islamic State's Aug. 3 acknowledgment of the death of its leader, allegedly at the hands of rival Syrian jihadists, raises important questions about the future of jihadism, especially amid renewed great power competition and multipolarity. The jihadist ideological landscape in recent years has been fractured between al Qaeda and the Islamic State's competing models of jihad and governance. However, growing multipolarity and inter-state competition may create opportunities for jihadist groups if al Qaeda and the Islamic State can overcome their divisions and/or clearly define an enemy to help unify more people behind their cause and overcome the constraints on their influence....