Wondered why that is. Ive got an expert, the movie producer, who has smart thoughts about hollywoods struggles. Finally, cant afford a car. Why one World Capital may be saying goodbye to personally owned cars within a decade. But first, heres my take. What are the strengths of the Islamic State . I posed this question to two deeply knowledgeable observers, a european diplomat and a foreign official and the big picture is worrying but not hopeless. Defeating them would be a large strategic effort from the Obama Administration but it could be done without significant numbers of u. S. Ground troops. The european diplomats stationed in the middle east travels in and out of syria and has access to sources. Both agreed to speak if their identities were not revealed. This european official says the Islamic Group has considerable economic strength. He estimates it is making 1 million a day in syria and iraq each by selling oil and gas although u. S. Experts believe the number is too high in ir