<b>A timely, piercing study of the Islamic State—today's dominant jihadist group in the Middle East whose star continues to rise—by the world-renowned expert on terrorist financing and money laundering, Loretta Napoleoni.</b><br><br>The rise to prominence by the Islamic State (IS)—now dominating Middle Eastern politics—is explained in revealing detail by economist and bestselling author Loretta Napoleoni. Napoleoni illuminates the singularity of IS and how it differs from other jihadist organizations, particularly in terms of its economic structure and focus on consensus instead of pure violence. Napoleoni traces the beginnings of IS, its dynamic with al-Qaeda, and its current status as the first official Caliphate in over a century. With brilliant research and straightforward prose, Napoleoni brings the newest form of shell-state government to light, and shows us how dangerous it would be to underestimate it.