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The Ultimate Goal of the Islamic State's Strategy Is to Establish a Pan-Islamic Caliphate

• The Islamic State has no intention of containing itself within certain countries or regions but seeks to expand its power and influence.
• Numerous Salafi-jihadist groups across the world have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

While the Islamic State Has Lost Territory and Support, It Continues to Pose a Terrorist Threat to the United States and Its Allies

• The Islamic State has lost considerable territory since 2014 in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, and Nigeria.
• Polling data indicate declining support across the Muslim world for the Islamic State and its ideology.
• The Islamic State continues to conduct and inspire attacks around the globe.
• The group's global footprint includes eight formal provinces outside Iraq and Syria; over a dozen informal provinces; and tens of thousands of inspired individuals across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.

The United States Should Pursue a Light Rollback Strategy Against the Islamic State

• The advocates of disengagement and containment argue that the Islamic State will eventually burn itself out. But the defeat of the Islamic State would be at best distant, and the group could still plot or inspire attacks.
• The employment of large numbers of American troops in ground combat would likely give rise to local resistance.
• Key components of a light rollback strategy include the use of American airpower, special operations forces, and intelligence units to enable local partners to liberate territory held by the Islamic State.