Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Rohan Shetty

200,000 + Soldiers

13 + Years of service

The invisible sheikh

Closer to 35,000 mi2

Fighters from over 90 countries

YEAR 1971 2004 2010 2013 2014 2015 2016

BirthEducation

LeaderBreak and Formation Official Currency

• Born near Samarra, Iraq

1996 1999 2003

• Koran, University of Baghdad• Masters, Saddam University

• PhD, Islamic Studies

Arrest & Training

• Arrested by US Forces• Trained by Al-Qaeda

• Leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq

• Broke from Al-Qaeda’s leadership

• Announced formation of ISI

• Caliph Ibrahim• Released 17 minute

audio

Deceleration

Banned videos

• Amateur videos of IS brutality

• Accepting payments only is US Dollars

How al-Baghdadi influences ?• Circulation of his biography

• A mix of terror and charm

• Some are loyal, others cower in fear of the

consequences

• Branding

• Encourages technology/social media

• Radicalization

Picture source: TIME, 2013

Leadership qualities• Shrewd strategist

• Motivator

• Prolific fundraiser

• Calculative

• Decentralized power

structure

• Created a group of

unending ambition

Picture source: al-Furqan Media

How did al-Baghdadi establish his presence ?

• Political instability in Syria

• Corporatized terror and franchised it out

• Radical fidelity

• Spreading propaganda

• Loyal cabinet of deputies

• Government policies and court of law

Impact • More extreme and cruel than other groups

• Strongest and most influential terrorist

group

• Setting an example for other terrorist groups

• Disrupted American Strategic deployment in

the Middle East

Ideology, Vision and Implementation • Ideology

Defended ISIL’s methods

Redefined terrorism

• Vision

Islamic take over the world

Establishing a Caliphate State in

Iraq and Syria

• Implementation

Islamic Religious Laws (sharia)

Picture source: The Islamic State, Vice

The Leadership Style of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi• Maintains a clear and consistent vision

• Uses power wisely and effectively

• Remains adaptable, adjusts to changes in the

outside forces

• Communicates well to assure alignment of

everyone in the organization

• Takes advantages of opportunities

Picture source: al-Furqan Media

Leadership Traits and Attributes

• Vision

• Courage

• Humility

• Strategic Planning

• Delegation

• Focus

• Integrity

Picture source: HBO, Vice

“Our souls, sons and money are cheap in exchange for liberating

Masjid Al-Aqsa”

Inside the leadership of ISIL

• Powered by deputies

• Strength of Baghdadi

• Gives his followers a

purpose

• Comfort and reassure his

followers

• Derive his authority from a higher power.

Source: Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium

ISIL after Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi• Up but not forever

• ISIL is a lot more resilient than the

leadership of one man

• Little immediate impact

• Down but not out

• Organization

• Finances

• Policies

Picture source: The Islamic State, Vice

Abu Bakr al-BaghdadiLoathsome: Yes

A successful leader: Yes, unfortunately.