because of a local cause. the group has gained territory, cash and recruits primarily because of of the rage and rebellion of the sunnis of iraq and syria. that sunni cause is going to endure for some time. the united states has been successful in its tactical battles against isis, it's pushed the group back from many of its gains in iraq, the sunnis of the region will remain in rebellion, the sunni dominated areas will remain in turmoil, and isis will be able to capitalize on this chaos. now, in the long run, isis might find its greatest foes lie within its so called caliphate. the few reports that are emerging from areas controlled by isis, suggest that people do not like living under a brutal theocratic dictatorship. they live in fear, and even those who chose it as an alternative to shiite rule are growing disenchanted.